This program is for children who are in grades 1 through 3.

Aussie Optimism Feelings and Friends, a universal school-based program, is designed to develop children’s emotional knowledge and awareness; promote emotional regulation; strengthen prosocial-friendship, problem-solving, and coping skills; and foster perspective-taking.

A pilot randomized trial was conducted among students in years 1-3 (i.e., grades 1-3) in Australia. Posttest results indicated a significant, small-to-moderate decrease in parent-reported anxiety symptoms among children in the intervention group, and there was no change in this outcome in the control group. There were no effects on child-reported emotional skills, depression, or anxiety; parent-reported conduct problems, or prosocial behavior; or teacher-reported social competence. A second randomized trial was conducted among a group of 25 year-3 (i.e., grade 3) students in Australia. Results indicated significant improvement in parent-reported child depressive symptoms, separation anxiety, externalizing symptoms, and conduct problems at posttest and 3-month follow-up.

Aussie Optimism Feelings and Friends consists of one program for students in grades 1 and 2, and one program for students in grade 3. Each program consists of 10 modules in which children learn how to identify feelings in themselves and others; learn to recognize how emotions feel in the body; and learn and practice a variety of coping techniques to help them manage their emotions and behaviors. Children also learn and practice relationship, problem-solving, and conflict-management skills. Modules for students in 3rd grade include the following:

• Module 1: Feelings and body clues – identify and understand different feelings, and learn about facial expressions;
• Module 2: Feeling excited and proud – identify feelings of being excited and proud, and realize that body clues can help identify feelings;
• Module 3: Feeling happy – identify how it feels to be happy, identify feelings in different situations, and realize that feelings can have different intensities;
• Module 4: First aid for feelings – introduction of the “First Aid Kit” as a tool to help manage uncomfortable feelings;
• Module 5: First aid for scared and worried – identify body clues that relate to feeling scared and worried;
• Module 6: First aid for angry and sad – identify body clues associated with feeling angry and sad, and learn to manage feelings of anger and sadness;
• Module 7: Other people’s feelings – learn to verbalize feelings, and identify the feelings of others;
• Module 8: Caring about people’s feelings – learn how to be respectful and considerate of the other people’s feelings;
• Module 9: How to be friendly – identify friendly and unfriendly behaviors, learn to appreciate peers, and demonstrate pro-social behaviors; and
• Module 10: Mad, sad and glad solutions – identify mad, sad, and glad solutions; review and integrate all newly learned skills.

Aussie Optimism was first delivered in schools in 1997, and, between 2011 and 2016, 23,951 students participated in Aussie Optimism programs. The extent to which the Feelings and Friends program has been implemented is unclear.

This program is delivered by teachers. Training is required in order to gain accreditation and a 6-hour, off-site workshop is available at Curtin University or other locations around Western Australia. At the workshop, teachers receive a Teachers’ Resource Kit, which includes a Teacher Resource, a Student Booklet, and a Parent Booklet. Please visit https://aussieoptimism.com.au/accreditation/, or use details in the Contact section for more information.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring school administration and teacher buy-in, making time in a classroom schedule to implement lessons, ensuring that lessons are delivered with fidelity, and understanding that training for this program is only offered in Australia.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing Aussie Optimism Feelings and Friends, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you! Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu

This program consists of 10-weekly, 1-hour modules and is delivered as part of the regular health curriculum.

Student Booklets and Parent Booklets cost $11.95 each. Teachers receive a Student Booklet and a Parent Booklet at the training workshop; however, it is recommended that each student and parent have their own copy. Teachers must complete the training workshop and receive an accreditation number to order additional materials. Please visit https://aussieoptimism.com.au/resources/ for more information.

To move Aussie Optimism Feelings and Friends to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program. Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Aussie Optimism by phone +61 8 9266 2465, email Aussie.Optimism@curtin.edu.au, or visit https://aussieoptimism.com.au/programs/i-spy-feelings/

https://aussieoptimism.com.au/programs/feelings-and-friends/ and https://www.curtin.edu.au/news/positivity-program-thats-helping-aussie-kids-help/