The George Issue 19 – Feeling Explorers
Feeling Explorers helps children and their families prepare and find success in school.
“It was an amazing program and a great help to my children and family. I feel more confident in my ability to help my children after taking this class. A definite must-try.” -Participant
Feeling Explorers is an exciting new George Hull Centre program for caregivers and their children in grades 1 through 3. The program was originally designed specifically for the classroom and teachers but has been adopted for treatment at GHC. Feeling Explorers is a social emotional learning program, which helps promote children’s mental health and wellness as they begin their school journey.
“The sessions made my kids more aware of the fact that they are not alone in how they feel…” – Participant
The program helps children recognize, understand, and regulate feelings like worry, frustration, anxiety, and uncertainty, emotions that have been drastically amplified over the past 18 months with COVID. “The importance of teaching children social-emotional skills is critical to their overall development, but especially during a global pandemic. The last two years COVID has had a tremendous impact on the mental health of kids and families, making this type of support an increasingly important tool for teachers, parents, caregivers, and their children” says Carm Viola, Clinician RECE, RP, co-developer and author of this program.
“Covid had really exacerbated my daughter’s anxiety – so it was especially helpful to have strategies.” – Participant
Feeling Explorers runs twice a year for 10 weeks, and 4-5 groups in schools per year, and fills quickly! Program activities are designed to expand children’s emotional intelligence and increased resiliency to stress. Children work on positive peer relationships, learn to get along with one another, communicate effectively, resolve conflict, and how to confidently navigate challenging situations when they arise in the class, or at home. Role-playing, puppets, games, and art are all used to reinforce the learnings.
“Children who are already experiencing mental health difficulties will benefit from the intervention and experience some relief from their symptoms. Many children’s anxieties emerge in response to school-based stimuli; through this program, there is an opportunity to treat in the environment where anxious symptoms are likely to arise. Teachers participating in the program will develop increased knowledge to support their students’ mental health and be able to employ strategies to help those who are struggling.” explains Carm.
We are excited to expand this program. For more information, please check out our website.