The Being a Good Friend Program has been formulated to promote ‘social and emotional learning’ (SEL), which is how children acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

The program covers the following topics:

• How to recognise feelings in self and others.
• The power of breath strength and being calm.
• Helpful verses unhelpful thinking.
• My brain is boss.
• How to be a good friend.
• How to recognise body language and personal space.
• Introduction to goal setting.
• Introduction to conflict resolution.

Program Structure
Each Year 2 class engages in a 45 minute session once per week throughout one school term.

Methods of Delivery

• A student workbook with fun activities to reinforce learning objectives.
• Use of puppet to facilitate discussion of lesson objectives.
• Class discussion of key concepts.
• Role play.
• Facilitator and teacher feedback during small group/workbook activities.

Facilitators
Dr Paul Edwards (CHCCS Student Support Services) and Year 2 homeroom teachers.