C.B.S Primary runs the renowned Fun Friends Programme in our school.

Everybody gets worried or sad sometimes. All children feel anxious as a part of their normal  development. Fun Friends was developed by world-renowned child psychologist Professor Paula  Barrett to equip children and their families with life skills that build resilience and social-emotional  strength to cope with stresses and challenges that are a part of everyday life. Research has shown  that children who are resilient (able to bounce back from adversity) are more likely to succeed at  school, develop healthy peer relationships, and are less likely to develop mental health problems. 

Your child will learn how to be “brave” and deal with difficulties, to recognise signs of anxiety, relaxation strategies for staying calm, how to build positive relationships with others, to develop positive thinking, and how to try new things and face their fears. 

What you can do at home 

There are many things you can do to help your child become more resilient and happy. Each week, your child will be introduced to specific skills which need to be reinforced both during the group and in the home environment in order for change to occur. As a parent you are an extremely important and influential role model, and you play a vital role in the development and maintenance of the skills taught in the Fun Friends programme. 

Handouts for parents/guardians outline the key skills and strategies for each session of Fun Friends, and give some helpful tips for how you can help your child and other family members to practise them at home.  It is our aim that your child, your family and community will enjoy the Fun Friends programme and will benefit from learning practical, useful skills for coping with stress, worry, fear and day-to-day  challenges. 

F = FEELINGS 

My body gives me clues to help me know how I’m feeling. I can recognise that I’m feeling worried  because my palms are sweaty, I have butterflies in my stomach, my heart is beating fast, and I need to go to the toilet. This is my bodies’ way of telling me it is time to do something to calm down! 

R = RELAX 

I can do milkshake breathing, practise relaxation, have fun times and quiet times too. 

I = I CAN DO IT! I CAN TRY MY BEST! 

I can think of more helpful GREEN thoughts, such as “I can do it”, and “It doesn’t matter as long as I try my best”. 

E = ENCOURAGE 

I can learn new things and try new that are hard for me. I’ll take small “baby” steps and try new things so I can feel really proud of myself. Making a Step Plan will help me. I can reward myself for each step I climb. 

N = NURTURE 

There are many special people in my life. They can help me in lots of ways. My family, my friends and my teachers can all help me learn and try new things. 

D = DON’T FORGET TO PRACTISE 

I can use the FRIENDS plan to feel confident and brave about all sorts of things. I can practise my relaxation games so that when I feel tense and stiff, I can relax my muscles straight away. I can also practise GREEN thoughts. 

S = SMILE! STAY CALM FOR LIFE! 

I can stay cool and calm, because I know the steps of the FRIENDS plan, which will help me to be confident and brave. 

More information on the progamme is available by downloading the document below.