A social wellbeing program for girls
Designed for girls in Years 4-6 and Years 7-8, In Real Life: Real Friends covers healthy friendships, dealing with gossip, communication styles, resolving conflict, managing emotions, safe use of technology and social media, and support networks. Programs are adjusted depending on year level, with the Year 7-8 program going into more depth.
In Real Life: Real Friends is designed for a group of 6-10 girls, and the content is covered over eight 45 minute sessions. The program is visual, interactive, and designed to get students talking and learning in-real-life skills to support their social wellbeing.
Scroll down to find out more about each session, and take a look at a sample of the resources included in the program package.
Program Package
The In Real Life: Real Friends Program Package is a 'program in a box' — it comes with the facilitator's manual, resource kit with specially designed visuals, materials for activities, promotional gear, and custom-made stickers. It also includes an administration kit containing all you need to organise and run the program. You’ll also receive printable student workbooks and parent information. It’s the ultimate time-saver — we’ve done the work so you don’t have to!
“As a primary school chaplain, one of the most common issues I’m called upon to help with is friendship concerns, particularly between girls in Years 4-6. In Real Life: Real Friends targets this demographic in a practical, meaningful and fun way. Designed for small groups, the colourful and engaging resources are easy to use and helpful for facilitating conversations around key topics such as gossip, conflict resolution, and being cyber-smart.”
Melissa Davey, Gwelup Primary School, WA
Session Information
The following is a brief outline of the eight sessions that are covered within In Real Life: Real Friends. The program is designed to fit into the school term, but can be delivered over more than eight weeks if it’s more suitable — you decide how it’s going to work best in your location.
1
Back to Basics
Girls have the opportunity to consider how their friendships are going, the characteristics of a good friend, their strengths in their friendships, and what they need to work on.
2
Building Others Up
In this session, we discuss the impact of gossip on our friendships, the importance of being a trustworthy friend, and how we can build each other up with our words.
3
Communicating With Confidence
A reflection on how we react and communicate when conflict arises in our friendships. Girls identify the different communication styles, and discuss confident and respectful communication.
4
Growing Through Challenges
Conflict isn't the end of a friendship, but the chance for it to grow! Girls have the opportunity to talk about the issues that come up in their friendships, and how to resolve those issues with a practical, age-appropriate strategy.
5
Making Things Right
Students practice using the GROW strategy with relevant scenarios, discuss how and when to approach someone to resolve a conflict, and consider the changing nature of friendship.
6
Helpfully Managing Emotions
This session is designed to help girls develop their vocab around their emotions. We discuss experiences and situations that can cause emotional responses, and talk about the importance of self-care.
7
Social Media and Safety
A look at issues that come up with text, email, and social media use. We discuss safety tips and insights into the importance of face-to-face communication, especially when it comes to conflict resolution.
8
Nurturing Healthy Friendships
In this final session, girls look at the health of their friendships, and reflect on the kind of friend they would like to be. We also discuss the importance of forming a strong support network. The session wraps up with encouragement and gifts for the girls to take home.
