What is Al's Pals?

Al’s Pals is a research-based early childhood curriculum designed to help young children (ages 3–6) develop social-emotional skills, resilience, and healthy decision-making. It is part of the Creative Curriculum approach and includes interactive lessons, songs, puppetry, and role-playing to teach children how to manage emotions, solve problems, and build positive relationships. Al’s Pals also promotes diversity, inclusion, and substance abuse prevention, making it a valuable tool for early childhood educators focused on emotional and behavioral development.

Goals for Al's Pals:
Al’s Pals is intended to help young children develop knowledge, skills, and abilities that will prepare them to tackle life’s inevitable challenges.

• helps children learn to manage feelings and behaviors;
• cultivates conflict-resolution and problem-solving skills;
• builds positive relationships;
• helps prevents bullying;
• creates caring, cooperative classrooms;
• teaches children to make healthy choices; and
• promotes authentic partnerships with children’s families.

What Topics does Al's Pals Cover?
Al’s Pals includes 52 lessons that guide educators in facilitating group activities through interactive lessons, engaging puppets, original music, and impactful teaching approaches. Curriculum content covers a broad range of important social-emotional skills that children need for success in school and in life. Content is divided into four categories.

• Identification and expression of feelings
• Relationships and respectful communication
• Safe and unsafe substances and situations
• Problem-solving