Rob Anderson

It’s that time of year — the days feel fuller, the to-do list is growing, and educators everywhere are juggling planning, instruction, assessments, meetings, and more. When your schedule is packed, adding another layer of content (especially something as vital as social and life skills) feels daunting. But this is precisely when a well-designed, ready-to-implement program can make all the difference.

Why now is the perfect moment to lean into social skills instruction

• Preventative teaching saves time long term. Rather than waiting for challenging behaviors or misunderstandings to arise, embedding social and life skills proactively helps reduce crises, redirects, and remediation later.

• Students benefit most when instruction is predictable and consistent. During busy periods, maintaining consistency can be harder — but structured lessons with built-in support help keep momentum.

• You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. With a curriculum tailored to scaffold social competencies, teachers gain access to ready materials — freeing up mental bandwidth for the many other demands of the season.

What Healthy Relationships Curriculum offers to ease your load

When time is at a premium, resources that plug in smoothly are priceless. Here’s how HRC is built for moments like these:

• A robust library of visuals. Over 1,000 visuals accompany lessons — cue cards, checklists, scenario illustrations, and cue posters — allowing teachers to present complex ideas simply and clearly.

• Nearly 200 videos for modeling and demonstration. These videos bring lessons to life: students see real-world behaviors, social cues, and alternatives in action — less prep required on your end.

• Scaffolding tools and structure built in. Step-by-step lesson scripts, visual checklists, scenario cards, progress monitoring tools, and differentiated supports help teachers stay on track even when days are hectic.

• Proactive rather than reactive teaching. The curriculum encourages weaving social skills into daily routines and anticipatory planning, so teachers are reducing incidents before they occur.

• Flexibility across settings and learners. Whether in small groups, whole-class settings, or individual instruction, and regardless of learners’ ability levels, HRC’s materials adapt — so you can maintain continuity even amid shifting schedules.

Ready to learn more? Get started right here…  Click here for our overview video and click here to access a free trial of the curriculum today!

September marks the beginning of Friendship Month, a perfect opportunity to celebrate the power of meaningful connections. At Healthy Relationships Curriculum, we believe that everyone deserves to experience friendship and a sense of community. While not all friendships last forever, each one has the potential to leave a lasting impact.

Friendships help us feel seen, supported, and valued. They play a vital role in our well-being at every stage of life. Whether students are meeting new classmates or learning how to

strengthen existing relationships, it’s never too early, or too late, to build positive connections.

At Healthy Relationships Curriculum, we’re committed to helping students develop the social skills they need to form strong, healthy friendships. Our program includes foundational lessons like “What is a Friend” and “Small Talk,” designed to help boost students’ confidence in casual conversations. Through structured lessons, real-life scenarios, and interactive activities, students learn to communicate effectively.

Unfortunately, not all relationships are positive, and understanding that distinction is crucial. That’s why our curriculum also includes essential lessons on bullying, boundary-setting, and consent. These lessons empower students to recognize the signs of unhealthy behavior, set personal boundaries ,and seek help when needed.

What makes our program unique is its flexibility and inclusivity. We offer age-appropriate lesson plans for elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as adult learners with various abilities. Our curriculum is designed with a wide variety of teaching tools including videos, role-playing exercises, and creative, concrete approaches to teaching challenging skills. Suitable for any learning environment, our adaptable approach meets students and educators where they are.

Whether students are learning how to start a conversation or looking to deepen existing

friendships, we’re here to support their social and emotional growth at every step of the way.

Explore our Curriculum Scope and Sequence resource to learn more about our extensive list of topics and suggested teaching timelines.

Ready to make a difference in your students’ lives? Click here to start your free trial today!

As the school year begins, classrooms are buzzing with fresh energy, new faces, and the promise of growth. While this season brings excitement, it also presents a critical opportunity to set the tone for a positive, supportive learning environment. At Healthy Relationships, we’re here to help educators and students start strong—equipped with the tools they need to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

Our curriculum is more than just a set of lessons—it’s a comprehensive, evidence-based program designed to help students develop essential life skills that support their success both in and out of the classroom. As students adjust to new routines, peer groups, and expectations, our structured modules provide a consistent, engaging framework that fosters confidence, communication, and connection.

What Makes Our Curriculum Ideal for the Start of the School Year?

• Ready-to-Use, Grade-Level Content: With nearly 200 video-modeling lessons, interactive activities, and real-life scenarios, educators can immediately begin teaching skills like making friends, respecting personal space, and understanding boundaries.
• Flexible Implementation: Whether you’re in a learning support classroom, a special education setting, or a community-based program, our curriculum adapts to your environment and your students’ needs.
• Support for Educators: We provide detailed lesson plans, progress monitoring tools, and family engagement resources to ensure a smooth and impactful rollout.

As students return to school, they deserve a learning experience that not only supports academic achievement but also nurtures their personal development. The Healthy Relationships Curriculum empowers educators to create inclusive, respectful, and emotionally safe spaces where every student can flourish.

Let’s make this school year one of growth, connection, and lifelong learning—together.

Ready to start this school year on a positive note? Start your free trial here or learn more by watching our overview video.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to emphasize the importance of nurturing students’ mental and emotional well-being. At Healthy Relationships, we understand that building confidence can be particularly challenging for students with unique needs. That’s why we provide practical, engaging lessons designed to empower them—both inside and outside the classroom.

Our curriculum covers essential topics like dating, online safety, personal privacy, hygiene, and understanding different types of social relationships—from friendships to recognizing bullies. We give students the tools they need to navigate their world with confidence.

Here’s what sets Healthy Relationships Curriculum apart:

• 80+ Scenario Cards – Real-life situations bring lessons to life, making them more relatable and effective.
• Role-Plays & Life-Skills Activities – Hands-on practice helps students internalize and apply key concepts.
• Progress Monitoring Tools – Track, assess, and measure growth to ensure lasting impact.
• And More!

Our mission is simple: help you equip students with the life skills and social skills they need to succeed today and in the future.

Ready to see our curriculum in action? Watch our overview video and request a free demo today!

Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities may encounter challenges in dating and relationships, such as difficulties with communication, interpreting social cues, and regulating emotions. These challenges can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, frustration, or feelings of isolation. Special education teachers play a vital role in supporting students by teaching social skills through role-playing exercises, reinforcing safe dating practices, and providing clear guidance on social norms and boundaries.

This is where the Healthy Relationships Curriculum comes in!

Our curriculum equips special educators with essential resources to help students develop the social skills necessary for building both platonic and romantic relationships. These tools include:

• Role Playing, Demonstrations, and Life Skills Activities: With close to 200 role-play and demonstration videos, students engage in hands-on activities and enjoy interactive role-playing games to apply real-life skills.
• Over 80 Scenario Cards: These cards transform the lessons into practical, real-life situations, enhancing their comprehension of the lessons.
• Outcome Tools: Outcome measurement tools can be shared with parents and administrators to show real-time, individual progress
• Parent Guide for Success & Home Supplements: Offers specific, at-home information & activities to engage the parent or guardian, reinforce the skills learned, and encourage family participation.

If you want to learn more about our Healthy Relationships Curriculum, watch this overview video and request a free demo!

The third week of January (the 20^th-24^th this year) is “No Name Calling” Week. The purpose of this week is to educate students, teachers, and the public on the harms of name-calling. The goal is to bring awareness to identity-based bullying and how to stand up for and support others who may be targeted.

Our Healthy Relationships Curriculum also provides strategies for dealing with bullying and relationship building, including how to identify a bully and how to identify and make friends. Our Healthy Relationships Curriculum provides tools for teaching students how to take care of themselves physically and socially using tools such as:

• Role Playing, Demonstrations, and Life Skills Activities: With close to 200 role-play and demonstration videos, students engage in hands-on activities and enjoy interactive role-playing games to apply real-life skills.
• Over 80 Scenario Cards: These cards transform the lessons into practical, real-life situations, enhancing their comprehension of the lessons.
• A Variety of Lesson Topics: Lesson topics cover a wide range of social skills from small talk to voice volume and personal space.
• Lesson Activities and Games: Our games are designed to teach lessons in an engaging and fun manner, ensuring students stay motivated. These pre-made games were created by our team of educators and counselors.

Healthy Relationships Curriculum is here to support you as you teach your students the social skills they will need to navigate through different aspects of their lives.

If you want to learn more about our Healthy Relationships Curriculum watch this overview video and request a free demo!

Author: Jen Falkowski, MEd — Supervisor of Special Education

Did you know that October is National Bullying Prevention Month? This month is all about promoting kindness, inclusion, and acceptance while encouraging students to pledge against bullying.

According to the PACER Center, children and teenagers with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied than their peers. Additionally, having a physical or intellectual disability can make it more difficult for victims to address instances of bullying and stand up for themselves. In fact, one of the topics that HRC teaches students about is the difference between a friend, an acquaintance, and a bully. Students deserve to feel confident and empowered both in and out of the classroom, regardless of their abilities, which is exactly where our Healthy Relationships Curriculum can help teach students to feel more confident in who they are at the same time.

Our Healthy Relationships Curriculum is built around understanding the importance of using diverse, accessible means of learning, which is why it includes nearly 200 demonstration videos, over 60 scenario cards to help students practice real-life skills, and fun, interactive role-playing games to act out the lessons.

• Nearly 200 Videos
• Concrete Visual Elements
• Lesson Activities & Games
• myHRC Online Portal houses many revisable documents to assist in teaching a wide range of individuals

We also provide ongoing consultation and support, comprehensive professional development, and tips and suggestions for teaching lesson content to educators, facilitators, and counselors.

If you want to learn more about our Healthy Relationships Curriculum and help your students succeed, watch this overview video and request a free demo!

 

Using pre-planned curriculum and lessons can help you get a head start on planning for the school year. However, tailoring lessons to meet the needs of your students can be challenging, especially when teaching across different age groups.

That’s why the Healthy Relationships Curriculum provides lesson plans specifically designed for various grade levels and even into adulthood. Our scope and sequence guide for each age group allows you to quickly see which lessons are recommended for different age groups.

Healthy Relationships Curriculum also includes many tools to make it easier for teachers to support their students’ learning needs. Some of these resources include:

• Nearly 200 Videos: Bringing many role plays and demonstrations to life for use inside and outside the classroom setting. See a sample video here.
• Tips & Suggestions For Teaching Lesson Content: Developed after years of implementing this program in our classrooms as well as hearing from thousands of teachers and therapists using the program nationwide.
• Comprehensive Professional Development: Available and encouraged to provide hands-on experience that builds familiarity and confidence with lesson content.
• Role Plays, Demonstrations, and Life-Skills Activities: The best way to teach life skills is by having students use them. Our role-playing demonstrations allow students to practice the skills they learned during their lessons.
• Online Progress Monitoring Tools: These tools make it possible to measure, assess, and compare skill levels consistently.
• And much more!

Our curriculum is centered around helping you teach your students critical life and social skills that will help them feel confident while they are in school and later in life.

If you want to learn more about our Healthy Relationships Curriculum, request a free demo!

July is here! Along with all the summer fun, it’s also Social Wellness Month. This month encourages everyone to build healthy relationships and boost their mental health through socializing.

How Can Healthy Relationships Help Students Build Safe Relationships?

Healthy Relationships guides students in understanding social norms, building social skills, and learning to take care of themselves. Our curriculum includes comprehensive lesson plans and tools to supplement them.

To keep our lesson plans fresh and engaging, we include:

• Nearly 200 Videos
• Concrete Visual Elements
• Lesson Activities & Games
• myHRC Online Portal houses many revisable documents to assist in teaching a wide range of individuals

We also provide ongoing consultation and support, comprehensive professional development, and tips and suggestions for teaching lesson content to educators, facilitators, and counselors.

If you want to learn more about our Healthy Relationships Curriculum and help your students succeed, watch this overview video and request a free demo!

 

Now that the end of the school year is upon us, most students and parents turn their attention to the excitement of summer break!

While a hiatus from the classroom is a welcome (and necessary!) part of the school year for both families and teachers, we know that summer break is also a time of planning and focus for teachers as they think about the impending school year.

Summer also allows for innovation and recreation, providing educators time to sit back, evaluate their current curriculum, and integrate changes and new approaches to their teaching methods.

If you’re in this phase of ideation, we can help!

Whether you’re looking to enhance your existing curriculum, more efficiently meet program standards, or cater to students’ needs, Healthy Relationships Curriculum has a wide variety of activities and plans that are adaptable to individual needs and instructor areas of focus.

The good news? You can try it for free. Start your free trial HERE, or if you’re simply looking for some motivation to jumpstart your summer lesson planning, check out our Scope and Sequence page.