LEARN, LOVE, LAUGH

ABOUT

LEARN, LOVE, LAUGH is a positive wellbeing program that uses social emotional learning (SEL) to cater specifically for girls between years 4 to 8.

 

SEL teaches students to recognize and manage one’s emotions, understand and appreciate the perspectives of others, establish and maintain positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and handle interpersonal situations constructively (Elias et al., 1997).

 

Using the SEL's 5 core competencies (refer to figure 1), LEARN, LOVE, LAUGH aims to provide girls with the tools to help them understand what it means to be healthy and how to make responsible and healthy choices (Responsible Decision-Making), discover who they are, their self-worth and the importance of self-respect (Self-Management & Self-Awareness), as well as learning how to maintain positive relationships including the importance of safety at school and in social situations (Social Awareness & Relationship Skills).

 

OUR PHILOSOPHY

 

The LEARN, LOVE, LAUGH program is based on the theoretical underpinnings of Bronfenbrenner's (1979) socio-ecological model (refer to figure 2). It recognises the multiple influences that can impact a child's mental health and wellbeing. Particularly for girls around the pre-adolescent and adolescent ages, friendship groups and peer groups are considered to be the most influential on their sense of self-worth and emotional wellbeing. As such, LEARN, LOVE, LAUGH focuses on helping girls understand these influences, how it can affect them socially and emotionally, and learn effective skills and tools to help empower them to take control of their own health. We also believe that starting at a young age is vital for increasing protective factors that can improve their resistance to risk factors now and later in life such as poor mental health (refer to figure 3).