MBF Child Safety Matters® is a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum for elementary school students in grades K-5. The program educates and empowers children and all relevant adults with information and strategies to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to bullying, cyberbullying, all types of abuse, and digital abuse dangers.
The program was developed WITH schools, not FOR schools, to make the best use of existing resources and ensure schools have effective programs that are easy to implement. It is presented in two comprehensive lessons ranging from 35-55 minutes (or in four shorter lessons) by trained facilitators in classrooms. Facilitators present turnkey scripts along with engaging, interactive PowerPoints including lecture, group discussion, skills-practice activities, videos, and games.
Multiple independent research studies have examined the effectiveness of the program with positive results for both student knowledge gains and facilitator implementation fidelity.
Program Features and Benefits:
- Evidence based
- Easy and practical for schools to implement
- Developmentally appropriate for students in grades kindergarten through five
- Based on polyvictimization research
- Provides universal strategies to better protect children, including five easy-to-remember Safety Rules
- Educates children, school staff, and parents
- Provides practice and reinforcement of learned skills
- Created, reviewed, and supported by experts
- Trusted by parents and schools
Program Topics
Lesson 1
- Safety awareness
- Shared responsibility for safety
- Safe Adults
- Types of abuse
- Red Flags
- Safety Rules
Lesson 2
- Bullying
- Cyberbullying
- Digital abuse
- Digital safety tips
- Digital citizenship
- Safety Rules
PROGRAM Materials
For Facilitators
- Curriculum Book with Facilitator Manual and Scripts
- Flash Drive with classroom PowerPoints and other program materials
- One-year subscription to password-protected Facilitator Portal
- Online Facilitator Training
- Virtual Facilitator Guide
- Facilitator Adaptation Guide for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
For Students
- Student Coloring Posters
- Stickers
- Safe Adult Bookmarks (to share with their two Safe Adults)
For Parents/Safe Adults (also available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole, Chinese, French, & German)
- Parent Welcome and Opt-Out Forms
- Parent Information & Activity Sheets
- Parent PowerPoint training
For Schools/Other Organizations
- Pre- and post-tests to measure student learning
- Staff PowerPoint training
- Safety Rules Classroom Posters
- Safety Rules School Banner
SUPPLEMENTAL Materials
Spanish Curriculum
MBF Child Safety Matters is now available in Spanish, making it more accessible to Spanish-speaking children and teens!
Nearpod Lessons
CSM lessons are alternatively available as Nearpod lessons to present to students in person, remotely, or hybrid (some students in person/some remote) when students are using individual devices. Learn more here.
Mental Health/Substance Abuse Lessons
Supplemental Mental Health/Substance Abuse Lessons are available to support MBF Child Safety Matters. Learn more here.
Topics covered include:
- Mental Health and Wellness
- Healthy vs. Unhealthy Choices
- Coping Skills
- Introduction to Substances
- Refusal Skills
- Help and Resources
Program Overview
Classroom Lesson Previews
Please see the sample scripts and PowerPoints below to preview the classroom lessons. (Please note pages have been removed for preview.)