At Chill Skills we believe it is important children are given the space to find peace within themselves, and the tools to assist with regulation and letting go of the worries they are often saturated with.
Chill Skills employs evidence-based strategies of mindfulness, meditation, and cognitive behaviour therapy. Chill Skill facilitators introduce these strategies through story, breathing, movement and creative expression
Research has shown that through meditation, brain centres for emotions and executive functioning can be changed and help children in a variety of ways. It can also help children regulate their emotions, thereby having fewer meltdowns, reduce their impulsivity and improve concentration and focus. Meditation may also help children manage challenging conditions such as stress, depression, ADHD and hyperactivity
The chill skills program assists children with;
- Enhanced focus
- Fostering compassion and self-esteem
- Boosting confidence
- Building empathy and happiness
- Building mindful children – they can learn the tools that work for them
Chill Skills consists of 6 x 1-hour sessions per week in a block, carried out during the school term. Classes involve a range of fun activities to help children aged 5 to12 learn how to relax, explore their imagination and learn valuable life skills
To support the ongoing process of what the children have learned, resources are available including;
- The free Chill Skills app
- Free relaxation routines
- CD’s
The Chill Skills program has been used in North East Victoria and other States since 2011 in various settings. We have trained numerous facilitators including school wellbeing staff, psychologists, social workers and case managers amongst others supporting children.
In 2017 Primary Care Connect in Shepparton supported the children from their family violence program to attend Chill Skills. Evaluation of the outcomes showed the majority of children experienced significant positive change.
As 2020 was a year of high stress, due to the changes and adaptations in response to the COVID -19 Pandemic, many children experienced higher levels of anxiety due to the unknown of what life changes were occurring. Schools had experienced two remote learning periods; this resulted in students being at risk of disconnection from their peers and the safety that school can often provide.
In 2020 Yarrawonga P-12 College supported children with delivering Chill Skills within the School. Evaluation of the outcomes showed improvement in the following areas: conduct problems, emotional symptoms, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems and prosocial behaviour.
In 2020 Yarrawonga Health partnered with Yarrawonga P-12 College to assist with delivering Chill Skills ongoing within the School.
Yarrawonga Health is supporting the community by delivering Chill Skills to other various Primary Schools throughout the Yarrawonga area.
If you would like to discuss your specific training requirements or how Chill Skills can benefit the children and your learning community, please click here to contact us.
