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Optimistic Thinking Skills
Introduction: Feelings and Friends
This program equips students in Years 7–8 with essential optimistic thinking skills through engaging activities and discussions.
The program integrates real-world challenges like stress, goal setting, and problem-solving into activities such as mindfulness exercises, group discussions, and scenario-based learning. These activities emphasize resilience, positive thinking, and the importance of celebrating personal achievements to foster a lifelong optimistic mindset.
This program mainly focusses on developing thinking skills. Identifying and talking about feelings is reviewed in the first module, and the other modules establish the connection between thoughts and feelings and the students learn how to tune into their self-talk, how to evaluate and challenge self-talk, so that they can be positive and optimistic.
The program also introduces practical skills such as responding under pressure and learning how to decatastrophise negative and unhelpful thoughts.
Objective
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Enhanced Mental Health: Promotes positive mental health outcomes by teaching students coping mechanisms, stress management, and emotional resilience.
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Improved Academic Performance: Supports academic achievement by fostering a positive and supportive learning environment.
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Social and Emotional Development: Encourages the development of key life skills such as empathy, cooperation, and effective communication.
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Positive School Culture: Builds a cohesive and inclusive school community where students feel valued and supported.
Benefits
“Mindset Mapping” – Students create a visual map of their goals and explore optimistic ways to overcome potential challenges.
Activities revisit optimistic thinking and focus on real-world challenges like stress management, goal setting, and problem-solving. Students participate in mindfulness exercises, group discussions, and scenario-based learning.
Activities emphasise resilience, celebrating personal achievements, and embedding positive habits into their daily lives.
Primary Activities
10 Session Plans
Shifting Perspectives – Learning to see situations from multiple viewpoints.
Stress Less – Techniques for managing stress and anxiety.
Setting Goals – Developing realistic and achievable personal goals.
Optimistic Outcomes – Focusing on positive solutions in challenging situations.
The Power of Positivity – Exploring the benefits of a positive mindset.
Mindful Moments – Using mindfulness to stay present and calm.
Building Resilience – Strengthening the ability to overcome challenges.
Problem-Solving Paths – Approaching problems with a solutions mindset.
Celebrating Wins – Recognising and celebrating personal achievements.
Optimism for Life – Embedding optimistic thinking into daily habits..
