Inaction comes at a high cost
Social behavior is no longer a given. More and more schools report conflicts, lack of respect, and increasing willingness for violence – in the schoolyard, in class, and in daily dialogue. Where teaching should take place, crisis management dominates.
Where teaching should take place, crisis management dominates.
This behavior comes at a cost:
- Lack of social behavior costs time and weakens trust.
- Increased tendency towards violence leads to high costs for society and children.
- Ineffective value initiatives waste energy and resources.
- Teacher overload results in the loss of experienced and committed educators.
TOGETHER rather than AGAINST each other
Amidst performance pressure, conflicts, and increasing overload, schools and families do not long for new concepts, but for real change. What is becoming increasingly important:
Respectful interaction
Children who listen take responsibility, and treat others with respect.
Empowering children with strong values
Young people who know what is right and have the courage to act accordingly.
Unlocking tranquility and security
Fewer disruptions, less violence – more time for real teaching.
"When behavior matters again, school becomes easier."
Mario Hartmann
More than a concept – a system that works.
sobe5™ (pronounced: ˈsoʊbi faɪv) derives from the English term “social behavior” and the number five. sobe5 is a new 360° values‒based system built on five clearly defined basic principles. These principles serve as a guideline for modern, values‒based, and social behavior.
For children who show attitude. For teachers who can breathe again. For a community that lasts.
sobe5 advantages:‒ More harmonious and more effective teaching
‒ The school offers more value to its students
‒ Conflicts will be resolved peacefully in the future
‒ Establishment of a common values‒based language
‒ Multicultural conflicts are significantly reduced
‒ More harmonious and more effective teaching
‒ Good manners become the norm
3 steps to social strength
in everyday school life:
Three solutions – one goal:
Social behavior that lasts.
We offer three clear entry models, all aimed at strengthening social behavior and sustainably embedding it into everyday school life – with content and teaching materials that are not found anywhere else. Whether it's about the first impulses or a holistic implementation ‒ all models create clarity, strengthen attitudes, and provide a noticeable relief for everyone involved.
Our Packages
Declarations of Love :)
Parents and teachers are repeatedly enthusiastic about sobe5: The positive effects on children are clear. Teachers particularly appreciate that good teaching can be implemented without additional workload. Read some of the feedback here.
FINALLY!
A holistic training program for good social behavior, covering all aspects of life? How fantastic is that? Why aren't school leaders and teachers embracing it?
We – and our children – need it!
Hilde Zanken
Mother
POSITIVE CHANGE
After two years of lessons with Mr. Hartmann, my son's behavior completely changed – and only for the positive! Mr. Hartmann has a fantastic ability to inspire people, explain values to children, and live by them himself. My full trust and support for this wonderful project.
Frauke Wildiger
Fitness instructor
TOP FOR TEACHING
For me, sobe5 is the first method that really works. The children take responsibility, conflicts are reduced – and finally there is more time for teaching. A clear recommendation for any school that wants more community.
H. Petersen
Primary school teacher
FANTASTIC VALUE TRANSFER
The entire anti‒bullying training in schools often has little effect. When the trainers come from outside in 95% of cases, what was learned and the good intentions disappear after just one week. sobe5 thinks completely differently: Here, the value principles remain permanently at the school – just like the sobe5 contact persons for the children. This form of value transfer is brilliant!
J. Schröder
Father
Great ‒ we continue!
For many years I have asked myself: Why don't schools do something about the violence that is constantly increasing in schools? Again and again I am shocked when I hear my daughter's stories. Intimidation, threats of violence – and it all continues after school hours. I spread sobe5 wherever I can. Something finally has to happen!
M. Reinecke
Father
Joy of teaching
Since we started working with sobe5, the classroom environment has completely changed. Children meet each other with greater respect, conflicts often resolve themselves – and I once again enjoy teaching.
Mike Kern
Class teacher, 7th grade
Education entrepreneur, author & trainer
Mario Hartmann – sobe5™
- Founder and developer of sobe5 and sobe5 iFOCUS
- Over 30 years of experience working with children and young people
- 30 years of practical experience in self‒confidence & de‒escalation training
- Coaching executives – with clarity and ethics
- State‒certified music educator (Conservatory Bremen)
- Author, speaker and producer of instructional videos
Mario Hartmann combines knowledge with attitude, discipline with heart, and has a clear goal with the sobe5 project:
To make children understand the importance of good social behavior so that they have a good start on their way into life and can continue it sustainably.
Together with his team, he implements this every day.
FAQ´s
Answer the most common questions here, max. 10 SEO relevant
What is sobe5?
What is sobe5? sobe5 [pronounced: ˈsoʊbi faiv] is derived from the English term „social behavior“ and the number five.
sobe5 is a modern values education program that helps children and young people develop good social behavior, respect, and self-responsibility. It is based on five simple but powerful principles for a good life, conveyed in an easily understandable, practical, and inspiring way.
The five sobe5 principles are:
1. Harm neither yourself nor others.
2. Always be helpful and kind.
3. Stay away from violence and crime.
4. Respect and protect your environment.
5. Grow beyond who you were yesterday.
These principles are brought to life through videos, stories, worksheets, and practical exercises.
Who developed sobe5?
sobe5 was developed by Mario Hartmann – author, music educator, teacher, martial arts instructor, and coach.Hartmann has been working with children, young people, and teachers for over 30 years, combining pedagogy, psychology, and modern learning methods into a clear, practical concept.
We don't have a budget for that. What to do?
Short answer: The real question is: What does it cost to do nothing?
Detailed answer: We know that school budgets are limited. At the same time, conflicts, bullying, classroom disruptions, and stressed teachers incur "hidden costs" every day: lost lessons, extra work, parent meetings, sick leave.
sobe5 is designed so that entry is possible even with a small budget: You can start with a single lesson unit and quietly test the concept.The sobe5 community provides weekly exercises at a fraction of the cost of a one-time project day. Materials can be used in multiple classes and grades simultaneously. Instead of funding another large project, you are investing specifically in a system that relieves your teachers and saves costs in the long run.
We already have a social program - is sobe5 still worth it?
Short answer: Perfect – sobe5 doesn't replace anything; it makes your existing concept more concrete and easier to implement.
Detailed answer: Many schools already have a school program, mission statement, or social curriculum – and that's great. The challenge often lies not in "what," but in "how to practise it in everyday life?"
sobe5 deliberately sees itself as a supplement: The five sobe5 principles can be seamlessly integrated into your existing mission statement. Teachers receive ready-made lessons, stories, and tasks to actively bring existing values to life.
You can use it specifically where it fits: in class lessons, PBL focus weeks, or as a common thread throughout the school year.
You don't have to "throw anything overboard." sobe5 only helps ensure that your already good ideas are implemented more consistently, uniformly, and easily.
We don't have time for another project. How are we supposed to do this?
Short answer: sobe5 is not an additional project, but a tool that simplifies existing everyday life.
Detailed answer: Schools are full – full of timetables, full of tasks, full of expectations. That's precisely why sobe5 is designed to run with what's already there, instead of adding something new on top. The materials are pre-prepared: teachers don't have to research or design them themselves.
sobe5 integrates seamlessly into your existing curriculum. Many exercises only take 10–15 minutes and can be used as an introduction, conclusion, or reflection.
The goal of sobe5 is not to make your calendar fuller, but to reduce conflicts and relieve teachers from constant "firefighting."
Does this also work in problem schools?
Short answer: Especially there, clear values, simple language and recurring structures are particularly effective.
Detailed answer: Schools in challenging situations often have to deal with many problems occurring simultaneously: high stress, difficult family constellations, numerous conflicts.
sobe5 is developed for this reality: The five principles are easy to understand, clearly formulated and easy for children to grasp. The exercises and stories are designed to work even with children from different linguistic and social backgrounds. The school does not introduce "a new world order overnight," but builds stable structures in small, recurring steps.
Of course, sobe5 does not replace social work or good relationship work in everyday life, but it gives teachers a uniform foundation that they can refer to together.
How much effort do teachers actually put in?
Short answer: Less than if they had to do everything themselves – that's the core of sobe5.
Detailed answer: Teachers are rightly skeptical when they hear "program." That's why the effort involved in sobe5 is calculated to remain manageable: Each unit is fully prepared: clear instructions, text suggestions, worksheets, and video.Preparation per unit: usually 0-5 minutes, depending on the teacher's teaching style.
The content is modular – teachers can choose what suits their class, instead of working through everything. Many impulses can be integrated into existing routines (e.g., morning circle, class council, start of the week).
In short: sobe5 takes the time-consuming conceptual work off teachers' hands and instead provides them with concrete tools they can use immediately – without making their already full school day even fuller.
sobe5™ and sobe5 iFOCUS™ are trademarks of Mario Hartmann.
©sobe5 2026