In recent years, school have become as concerned with developing children's social, emotional, and behavioral skills as they have always been with developing academic skills. In the author's words, ""teaching children positive social, emotional, and behavioral skills is a critical challenge facing our society in the 21st century."" These books are based on the need for curricula that focus on these skills. They are carefully designed and intended to prevent the development of mental health problems and promote social and emotional wellness among children. They may be used effectively with high-functioning, typical, at-risk, or emotionally disturbed children, in a variety of settings (whole group classroom instruction, small group classroom instruction, small pull-out groups, clinical groups). It is not necessary to be a licensed mental health professional to learn and implement this curriculum.