What's the Buzz? for Primary Students

Mark Le Messurier is a teacher, counsellor, author, public speaker and coach to young people and their parents. Mark can always be contacted at mark@marklemessurier.com.au.Madhavi Nawana Parker is a child and teen development specialist, author and public speaker who teaches social emotional literacy, resilience and positive thinking. Find her at http://www.positivemindsaustralia.com.au.

• Lesson 1. Meeting people and exiting Lesson 2. Seeking attention Lesson 3. Peer pressure; when to follow and when to go your own way Lesson 4. Being Friendly Lesson 5. Competition; winning and losing with style Lesson 6. Feelings; yours, mine and everyone’s Lesson 7. Feelings and the warning signs Lesson 8. Feelings and thinking positively Lesson 9. Feelings and Wellbeing Lesson 10. Empathy Lesson 11. Anxiety - name it and work with it Lesson 12. Handling Disappointment Lesson 13. Bullying and bullying-styled behaviours; dealing with them Lesson 14. The connecting ART of conversation Lesson 15. Self-awareness: building emotional intelligence and identity Lesson 16. The value of giving encouraging feedback

Having used ‘Archie’s BIG BOOK of friendship adventures’ together with the ‘What’s the Buzz? For Early Learners’ I strongly believe that a new edition that incorporates an older Archie (e.g 11 or 12 years of age) with stories at the beginning of every lesson will enhance the new edition. Reflecting on the new titles for some of the chapters makes sense too as well as the new chapter, ‘Giving friendly feedback’. This is an area that continues to grow in today’s society. Students seem to come to school or pre-school with immature social skills and emotional development. Students with additional needs such as ASD, Attention disorders, anxiety are more prevalent in educational settings and as such staff and families are needing educational resources like What’s the Buzz and Archie to assist implement these program at home, school or in other health services.Virginia Evans: Head of Kurrajong, Pulteney Grammar School, South Australia