growing strong & confident kids
Wouldn't it be amazing if every child arrived at school with only a school bag on their back. Sadly, many children arrive in classrooms carrying much more baggage than that. While teachers give their best to helping kids learn every day, there are often other issues that take priority, such as dealing with anxiety, stress, conflict and other emotional and social challenges.
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What if there was a way that the kids in your school could learn to build themselves up, and become strong and confident, able to coach themselves through challenging emotions and situations, so that your teachers can spend more time doing what they love!
iCoach4kids is a fresh and exciting approach to student wellbeing and resilience for Kiwi kids, delivering innovative content which gives kids the practical tools and strategies they need for emotional self management and strength.
The programme strongly supports the NZ Key Competencies, and is based on the mid section of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The premise is that if children have the Psychological needs of belonging, acceptance and value met, they will develop a strong sense of identity, and the core strength required to overcome challenges, enabling them to progress onto their full potential.
iCoach4kids has been developed using a growing body of evidence and practice emerging from the interaction between Neuroscience, and Psychology, known as Neuropsychology. Neuropsychology brings together the following understandings:
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1. The brain is neuroplastic and changes in response to our thoughts and experiences
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2. Our behaviour is not an isolated event, but the result of our thoughts and emotions (CBT)
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Neuro-Psychology gives us a great platform for teaching students that their wellbeing is not just a 'random feeling', but something they can regulate. Our programme demonstrates how our brain, body and behaviour are all connected, and empowers children to influence each of these areas with their choices.
programme delivery
​iCoach4kids is delivered by an external iCoach Facilitator who works alongside the classroom teacher. It compliments other positive behaviour programmes such as IY and PB4L, and aligns beautifully with all schools values and vision. The programme timeline is as follows:
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Video training modules for teachers to complete before programme commences
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Pre evaluation filled out for 10 of the participating students
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8 x 60 minute lessons delivered weekly, including interactive demonstrations, videos, animations, games and workbook activities*
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Post evaluation filled out for the same 10 participating students at completion of the programme
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Teacher follows up using the programme materials in class to extend and embed the learning
results from 2019 pilot
The first iCoach4kids programmes were delivered in 2017, and since then, the programme has been presented in 16 classrooms across 6 schools in the Bay of Plenty. In 2019 we standardised our evaluation process, and partnered with Eastbay REAP to create a Pilot, measuring 5 classrooms across the 4 Key Competency areas Thinking, Managing Self, Relating to Others and Participation and Contribution. Below is a sample of teachers feedback, for full comments and pilot data, click 2019 Results.
have teachers noticed positive changes in students?
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Huge improvements in their ability to work through difficulties
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Yes! An increase in recognising issues and be able to deal with them more easily. Confidence levels have grown for some, and soared for many
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Certainly, students are using the strategies learnt to overcome challenging tasks and situations.
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Yes, they seem to be relaxed and calm. I haven't see any anger outbursts since they did the programme. They are happier and getting along better with others
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Yes, students know what to do when issues of temper tantrums occur
my mind my friend
This is our 6 week Gratitude and Mindfulness programme for Year 3-4's, which teaches the skills of awareness and appreciation of the good. It is the perfect pre-cursor to the Year 5-6 iCoach4kids programme. Click here to find out more.
programme costs
Both iCoach4kids and My Mind My Friend are delivered in schools by trained volunteers, and there is no licence fee to schools, however there are some hard material costs. To find out more about hard material costs, click the link, to request access to the pricing page.
Pre & Post Evaluations
Please fill in each field with N=Not at All, S=Sometimes, M=Mostly, A=All the time