Covers relationship boundary-setting, abstinence practice, saying no, understanding gender differences regarding intimacy, and informed decision-making for healthy dating.
You are not always going to be there to guide them — but as an educator, there is a good chance that one of your primary goals is to provide your students with the necessary tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about their lives. And when it comes to dating, it is crucial to equip them with the right skills to navigate through the many challenges they may face.
That is where the DateSmart program by the Stanfield Company comes in — it provides a comprehensive guide to teaching students how to date responsibly, set boundaries, and avoid trouble. Using video modeling and real-life scenarios, the program brings abstract concepts like consent, communication, and personal boundaries to life in ways that resonate with young adults.
The DateSmart program focuses on imparting critical techniques to support the choice of abstinence, remaining abstinent, and avoiding sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy. Students are taught social skills and how to set dating boundaries, say no when necessary, and use clear communication to avoid sexual harassment.
This program is particularly effective because it addresses both emotional and practical dimensions of relationships. Rather than relying on lectures alone, DateSmart uses engaging video segments that show students what healthy — and unhealthy — dating behaviors look like in practice. This modeling-based approach helps students internalize lessons and apply them when it matters most. DateSmart provides students with much-needed tools to enable them to make safe and healthy decisions for themselves and others in any given situation.
This curriculum is presented in a relaxed, child-friendly format that makes it accessible for even the youngest students.
The DateSmart program helps students discover the most crucial behaviors related to dating in this day and age.
The program's emphasis on clear communication and mutual respect is key to helping students develop healthy relationships. It promotes the NotSmart and DateSmart ways of setting boundaries, remaining abstinent, and saying no. With this knowledge, students can avoid the consequences of sexual harassment and other complications associated with irresponsible dating.
The program is an excellent tool for educators because it is flexible and scalable, making it perfect for all types of classrooms. You can customize the content and delivery approach to meet the unique needs of your students, making it more effective than you ever thought possible.
The Art of Saying "No"
Students may come under social pressure or peer pressure to say "yes" to certain things that they would not normally agree to. Saying "no" is a crucial life skill that is sometimes difficult to practice.
DateSmart can teach your students how to say "no" firmly and confidently without feeling guilty or unsure. Through video modeling of real-life scenarios, students will see effective refusal techniques in action and learn how to stand their ground when it comes to intimate advances that go against their values and beliefs.
How to Practice Abstinence
DateSmart encourages students to practice abstinence, a responsible and safe choice that has zero risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unexpected pregnancy. Practicing abstinence can prevent heartbreaks and regrets. Students will learn the value of waiting and investing in a healthy relationship in the long run. The program presents abstinence not as a restriction, but as an empowering personal decision that deserves respect and support.
How to Protect Your Boundaries
The program teaches students how to value their personal boundaries and why respecting them is important. Most teenagers say that they experience peer pressure when it comes to giving up their privacy, such as sharing passwords, personal information, and intimate pictures.
The DateSmart program emphasizes that these violations are unacceptable and that every student has the right to protect their boundaries and privacy. Students learn practical strategies for recognizing when a boundary is being tested and how to respond with confidence.
How Girls Can Avoid Getting Into Trouble
DateSmart also offers specific lessons that girls can benefit from. For example, girls will learn how to set boundaries that allow them to feel comfortable and safe in any situation. They will also learn how to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations, such as being pressured into doing something they are not comfortable with. Girls will also learn about the importance of respecting themselves and their bodies, and they will be given strategies on how to deal with unwanted attention.
How Guys Can Avoid Getting Into Trouble
While the program offers specific lessons for girls, guys will also learn important lessons. They will learn how to respect boundaries, communicate openly, and understand the importance of consent. They will learn how to recognize problematic behavior in themselves and others, such as jealousy or anger issues, and develop healthier responses.
Understanding the Sexes
The DateSmart program offers valuable lessons on understanding the differences between the sexes. Students will learn about the societal pressures and gender roles that can often influence relationships. They will also learn how to avoid stereotyping and make sure their relationships are based on mutual respect and equality. By understanding these differences, students can build relationships that are based on honesty, trust, and equality.
Students will feel empowered as they put these concepts into practice and start seeing positive results in their relationships.
The DateSmart Program teaches self-awareness that ultimately leads to self-improvement. Students become aware of their strengths and weaknesses, their communication style, and how they can effectively engage with others. The more they know about themselves, the easier it is to adjust and adapt to different situations.
The DateSmart Program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for developing and maintaining healthy relationships. Students learn about qualities to look for in potential partners, red flags to be aware of, and how to navigate difficult conversations in relationships. This knowledge gives them the tools to form and sustain healthy relationships, which is critical for future success.
What makes DateSmart especially effective is its video modeling approach. Students do not just hear about healthy relationship skills — they see them demonstrated in real-life scenarios. This visual, modeling-based method helps students internalize positive behaviors and recognize negative patterns before they encounter them in their own lives. The result is deeper understanding and better real-world application of the skills taught in the program.
As an educator, it is your responsibility to provide students with the necessary resources for success. The DateSmart Program from the Stanfield Company is an excellent resource for developing and maintaining healthy relationships that last a lifetime.
This program is included in Stanfield+ — $999/year gives your school access to the full library of 60+ programs with a 30-day free trial.
The skills learned are designed to be lifelong assets, aiding students in feeling secure and connected throughout their educational journey and beyond.
| Part 1 — 2 activities | |
| 1 |
Responding to Common Lines
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 2 |
Use the “I’ll P.A.S.S.” Refusal Method
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| Part 2 — 5 activities | |
| 1 |
Avoid Tempting Situations
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 2 |
Plan Alternatives to Sex
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 3 |
If You Can’t Stick to Your Limits, Don’t Be Alone
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 4 |
Avoid Losing Control through Alcohol or Drugs
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 5 |
Use the “I’ll P.A.S.S.” Refusal Method
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| Part 3 — 5 activities | |
| 1 |
Don’t Allow Inappropriate Touching
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 2 |
Avoid Sexual Jokes and Conversations
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 3 |
Don’t Be Alone in Private Settings
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 4 |
Set Limits Beforehand
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 5 |
Use the “I’ll P.A.S.S.” Refusal Method
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| Part 4 — 6 activities | |
| 1 |
Introduction: Girl-to-Girl
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 2 |
Don’t Date Troublemakers
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 3 |
Avoid Losing Your Defenses to Alcohol or Drugs
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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| 4 |
Don’t Go Home With a Stranger
Discuss and answer the following questions!
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DateSmart is designed for students ages 16+, including those with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, and emotional/behavioral needs. The content uses video modeling with real-life scenarios that work across ability levels.
The program includes 24 lessons with approximately 3.5 Hrs of video content. Each lesson includes streaming video content, a comprehensive digital teacher's guide with step-by-step instructions, printable student worksheets, discussion activities, and assessment tools. All materials are accessible from any browser.
Yes. DateSmart is included in Stanfield+ ($999/year for the full 60+ program library). Both plans include a 30-day free trial with no credit card required.
DateSmart aligns to CASEL Social-Emotional Learning standards, ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors, and IEP Goal Domains. Standards alignment documentation is available for every lesson to support compliance and IEP planning.
Yes. All Stanfield programs stream from any browser — smartboards, projectors, Chromebooks, tablets, or any internet-connected device. The entire library is also closed-captioned for accessibility.
DateSmart uses real-world video scenarios to teach practical skills students will need for independent living, employment, and community participation. Every lesson connects classroom learning to situations students will actually encounter.
