Apply Presentation - 30 minutes International Positive Psychology Association 8th IPPA World Congress 2023

What’s a Friendship Fire? How Kid-Friendly Language can Support Students in Developing Healthy Friendships. (#126)

Dana Kerford 1 , Tyson Greenwood 2
  1. URSTRONG, Noosa Heads, QUEENSLAND, Australia
  2. Trinity College, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Explicitly teaching children how to develop healthy friendships and manage conflict in a positive way is at the heart of helping them flourish (Durlak et al., 2011).[i]  These important social skills are the key to belonging and connection, boosting our wellbeing more than any other positive emotion (Fredrickson, 2013).[ii]

Similar to the importance of emotional literacy (David, 2016)[iii] and wellbeing literacy (Oades et al., 2021)[iv], friendship literacy must be considered. Words matter.

In this presentation, Dana & Tyson will teach educators, clinicians, and parents a unique, kid-friendly ‘language of friendship’ being used in schools around the world to support children in developing healthy friendships (URSTRONG, 2022)[v]. Educators will learn more effective alternatives to the word “bullying” and a simple strategy for empowering children to resolve conflict.

Using a fun, ‘real life’ approach, participants will leave with practical, universal relationship strategies to improve the social climate in their classrooms, communities, in their own relationships as well.  

 

 

 


 

 

 

  1. [i] Durlak et al. (2011). The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82, 405-432. https://casel.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/impact-enhancing-students-social-emotional-learning-meta-analysis-school-based-universal-interventions.pdf
  2. [ii] Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Love 2.0: Finding happiness and health in moments of connection. Penguin.
  3. [iii] David, S. (2016). Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life. New York: Avery/Penguin Random House.
  4. [iv] Oades LG, Jarden A, Hou H, Ozturk C, Williams P, R. Slemp G, Huang L. Wellbeing Literacy: A Capability Model for Wellbeing Science and Practice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(2):719. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020719
  5. [v] URSTRONG (2022). Evidence-base for URSTRONG. https://urstrong.com/faqs/what-is-the-evidence-base-for-urstrong/
  • Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Education, Parenting, Relationships
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