SOS is an all-in-one resource for teachers and educators that is a pick-up-and-go guide on teaching child resilience.
A focus on resilience and early intervention has now been adopted by educational, health and statutory child protection agencies throughout Australia and other developed nations. The four areas of resilience covered by the SOS program (strength in oneself and others; support networks; problem-solving ability; and having a positive view of an achieveable future) capture and summarise the current understanding of protective factors. SOS has been used in classrooms in NSW since 2003 to build and enhance resilience by addressing each of these four areas.
In short, better resilience leads to better life outcomes. SOS is a whole-of-population approach which can enhance resilience in an engaging, interactive and enduring way. During SOS the students make giant shields to help them think and talk about the four aspects of resilience. The results of evaluative surveys conducted with participants in SOS over the past seven years indicate the success of the program in enhancing resilience through focusing on each of these four areas of resilience.
The quote below from a year 6 students who had completed the program 12 months before, sums up young people's sense of connection to the program and the importance of its symbol - the shield of strengths.
Year 6 student: "I keep my shield on my cupboard door. When i'm feeling down I look at it and remember all the good strengths about me, and the things I do to feel better."
Take a look at the video below to see how it has helped primary school students:
What are others saying about SOS?
The following is a transcript from an interview with Cheron Mort, an Assistant Principal at a public school located just outside of Tamworth in Northern NSW. She has been teaching at various primary schools for more than 30 years, with a particular interest in upper primary aged children. Cheron was invited to trial the SOS manual in its early stages of developments: SOS Interview with Cheron.
Order your copy!
To order your copy of SOS, just follow these three simple steps:
- Phone Samaritans reception on 02 4960 7100
- They will provide you with details to draw up a cheque or drop off a cash payment, or you can provide your credit card details. You can also discuss postage or pick up details.
- You now have your copy of SOS!
Questions?
For any questions about the resource, please contact:
Tim Hawes
Creative Times
02 4942 1621
thawes@samaritans.org.au