The CASEA program has begun!

The program aims to support the development of important skills for managing emotions and behaviour.

During Week 1, the CASEA group focused on “Getting to Know Others”, creating group rules and appropriate consequences, and helping group members identify and understand their strengths.  All children in Prep to Year 6 will participated in classroom activities where they “get to know” others and develop an understanding of each other’s strengths.

A great book for you to read with your child (it was also used in many classes) is All the Ways to be Smart by Davina Bell.  It focuses on the fact that we all have different strengths that should be celebrated.  After reading the book, you could discuss with your child their strengths and yours and perhaps make a visual reminder to display. 

During Week 2 of the CASEA Program, the focus of the group is on Feelings. Group members will discuss how they identify and express their own feelings, and how to recognise how others are feeling.  In particular the importance of recognising feelings by looking at facial expressions, body language, and listening to a person’s tone of voice, will be discussed.  The session also focuses on Strong Emotions.  The aim is to support group members in understanding how the intensity of emotions can change. They will learn to recognise their body’s “warning signals” so that they can identify when they are becoming angry. 

A great resource for next week is the book When I'm Feeling Angry. 

If you have any questions about the classroom activities, please see your child's class teacher.  If your questions are about the CASEA program in general, then Cathy and I are the best ones to approach.

Regards
Marg Masseni
Mental Health Leader

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage