Life lessons: An embedded classroom approach to preventing high-risk behaviors among preadolescents

In this article we contend that the complex psychological and social challenges upper-elementary school students are beginning to face can interfere with their learning basic skills, and we suggest the value of early intervention for preventing such high-risk behaviors as eating disorders, smoking, alcohol consumption, sex, and violence. Research on changes that preadolescents experience and that are known to have implications for their learning and future adjustment is discussed and studies of interventions designed to prevent potentially self-destructive behaviors are reviewed. An alternative to brief (e.g., 5-20 sessions), packaged, prevention programs is described. This alternative approach embeds a prevention program into everyday classroom activities and the basic academic instructional program, thus equipping students with strategies for resisting high-risk behavior while enhancing their interest and engagement in basic skills instruction.