PRIMARY SCHOOL

LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM @

SURREY HILLS

• Recognise emotions

• Recognise personal qualities and achievements

• Understand themselves as learners

• Develop reflective practice

• Express emotions appropriately

• Develop self-discipline and set goals

• Work independently and show initiative

• Become confident, resilience and adaptable

• Appreciate diverse perspectives

• Contribute to civil society

• Understand relationships

• Communicate effectively

• Work collaboratively

• Make decisions under pressure

• Negotiate and resolve conflict

• Develop leadership skills

Introduction to the program and self-control. Students learned the basic rules of the program as well as our basic set of values called “The CODE”: be strong, be calm, be kind and try hard. Students begin to understand themselves as learners with a selection of strengthening exercises (e.g., push ups, sit ups, squats) as well as other isometric challenges (Wingspan challenge). Engagement is fundamental part of our program so the students get to enjoy the first session with some interesting activities such as noodle dodge or Samurai patrol

Understanding the different types of strength (physical, mental, and emotional) this includes games around the dichotomy of control where students learn to identify things they can and can’t control in each situation and put effort on the ones they can control. This session also focuses on allowing students to identify their habits and mindsets before finding strategies to improve them.

Learning to recognise our emotions and their nature. Students are introduced to the concept of emotions and how these are neither positive nor negative in themselves but provide valuable information of the world around us. Students play with different games (e.g., The Rock, noddle dodge, fishing rod) that let them experience the cycle of “event, emotions, reaction” so they begin to recognise physical sensations associated to emotions.

Learning to manage our emotions and impulses. In this session the students experience the interconnection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. They learn to “make distance” between these 3 elements in order to have a better chance of managing their impulses. Games such as the Rock as well as different martial art exercises such as traditional blocks or parries are used also to learn how to be able to identify and control impulses and not overreact to them.