What is BABES?

BABES, a part of BABESWORLD,  stands for Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies.   There are various components to BABES, each addressing a different  age level.  The Basic BABES component is a  primary prevention program aimed at children ages 5  to 8.   It provides factual, non-judgmental information on alcohol and other drugs, and gives children a basic introduction to decision making and coping skills.   BABES presents a series of seven lessons covering topics such as peer pressure, self-image, and getting help.  BABES uses lovable puppet characters to make these valuable lessons interesting and accessible to young children.

How I Got Involved:

Eleven years ago, I worked for a company that happened to get involved with the Delaware County (PA) Alcohol and Addictions Council.  The council staff suggested that the company get involved with BABES, and  management agreed.  A few months later, approximately fifteen volunteers, including me,  culled from over a hundred hopefuls, began BABES training.  The training included education on the facts  and myths about drug abuse, successful interaction with children in an educational setting, puppet manipulation, and mandatory legal issues (BABES presenters are considered mandated reporters of possible abuse.  If we suspect a problem, we are obliged to report it to the authorities).   I have been involved with BABES ever since, and I consider it one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had.

BABES Origins:

Back in the fall of 1978, a woman was discussing the problems associated with being a recovering alcoholic with nine other people, all recovering alcoholics.  During the discussion, she noticed many similarities among the comments.   Comments such as:

• "I never knew it was okay to cry.

• "I was always told that I had to be big and strong."

• "I was always told that the alcoholic is a weak person."

• "I had to come here to find out that alcoholism is an illness."

Listening to these people, she found that she had learned similar misinformation at a very young age. She reasoned that if children could learn basic coping skills and the facts about alcohol and other drugs early enough, they would be able to make informed decisions when faced with difficult choices. 

From  this simple beginning,  the BABES curriculum was developed.  At first, getting "official" acceptance wasn't easy.   Schools were reluctant to present information that might "put ideas" into children's heads, and many administrators and teachers felt that young children couldn't understand the information being presented.   Finally, one teacher, Teola Hunter, a progressive educator who owned the Buttons and Bows nursery school, agreed to participate.

On March 8, 1979, the first BABES class was taught to ten nursery school students.  Since then, in the U.S. and five other countries, the BABES program has reached millions of children in public and private schools, Alanon, Head Start, various church groups, counseling centers, and nursery schools.  BABES has expanded to become BABESWORLD, a community of educators, volunteers, and the children who participate in the program.

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