It may have been the morning of Halloween which was evident from the variety of costumes seen from seat-to- seat in Mama Bey’s classroom, but for this particular classroom session attention wasn’t on the evening’s candy bounty, but on the BABES presenters.
“They aren’t just excited today about the program, but they talk about it all week and are always asking when are the ‘BABES people’ coming back,” remarked Timbuktu teacher Mama Bey*.
For eight weeks, the Basic BABES program will be taught at Timbuktu to first and second grade students as part of BABES becoming evidence based. During these eight weeks, students will learn self image and feelings; decision making and peer pressure; coping skills; alcohol and other drug information; getting help; and helping children with challenges. This session marked the second of six to follow and it was apparent that these little busy bodies were paying close attention to the BABES characters from the previous lesson, particularly Early Bird.
Just as the Presenters displayed a problem situation through BABES puppetry, the students yelled in unison, “Honk, honk,” which is Early Bird’s warning that there could be danger coming. When it came to making the right decisions based on the BABES lesson, the children yelled out, “It’s as easy as 1-2- 3 . . . Stop, Think and Decide.” One student was very anxious to identify what puppet that message came from. “That’s what Donovan Dignity always says and he’s my favorite, a wise owl.”
They also knew that the BABES puppets live in Pudding Heights which is in the magic of their minds and that they (the students) can always go there by getting into the spaceship called The Magic Of My Mind. They were aware that anytime they have a problem they can get the answers from their new friends … brother and sister Button and Bows; Myth Mary; Early Bird; Donovan Dignity; Recovering Reggie and Rhonda Rabbit all of which have messages for children to help them live happy, healthy lives.
“It brings me so much joy to see the students this excited about the BABES program,” said Presenter Nadine Rivers. Her Co-Presenter Mercelle Maxwell stated how amazed she was at how the students had picked up on the program so quickly. “They really know the puppets and understand each of their roles.”
*Timbuktu is an Afrocentric school where female teachers are referred to as “Mama” out of respect.
