Program Structure
Little StepsSM is structured into three groups, each designed
Little StepsSM (ages 5-10), utilizes expressive art and play therapy to
enable children to identify and express feelings such as anger,
sadness and fear in a constructive and healthy manner.
Stepping Stones (ages 10-13), utilizes a mix of therapeutic games, art
activities and discussion to assist children in dealing with their
increased awareness of addiction and its associated dysfunction.
Steppin’ Out (ages 14-17), employs the discussion of expressive
activities to help children understand the disease of addiction and its
impact on the lives of families. It also helps them develop the coping,
judgment and decision-making skills crucial to resiliency and selfreliance.
Program Goals
Little StepsSM helps children to:
• Understand that addiction is a
disease
• Understand that they didn’t cause
their family member’s drug or alcohol
use, and they can’t make them stop, but
that parents/families can and do get
better, if they get help
• Learn how:
• to trust
• to accept appropriate limits
• to speak honestly
• to make decisions
• to be assertive
• to laugh and play
• to make friends
• to identify and express their feelings
• to believe in their own specialness
• to live life on one’s own terms without the use of alcohol or drugs
11 | YMCA COUNSELING SERVICE