The School Empowerment Programs aim to help children who may struggle with the social and emotional challenges of a primary education setting.

This program for children aged 4 - 10 aims to build children's confidence in their primary school educational setting. An intimate classroom set up of only 5-6 children per group allows for a personal approach difficult to achieve in mainstream classroom environments. Our timetable is designed to enhance:

• organisational skills

• language development

• social and emotional development

• speaking in front of peers

• negotiating conflict in a safe and helpful way

• making and keeping friends

• fine motor skills

We run multiple different group session times, organised according to age and areas of focus, developing a range of cognitive and socio-emotional skills.

• The Pre-School Group (3 - 4pm) focuses on children aged from 4 - 5 years old where we get ready together to prepare for their new adventures awaiting them at school (Term 3 & 4).

• Monday Chess Group (4 - 5pm) provides a platform for beginners and chess champions to enhance their critical thinking, spatial awareness and cognitive flexibility while fostering social and emotional development through fostering new friendships, effective communication and developing our social skills in the context of a fun and challenging cognitive strategy game.

• Wednesday Social & Emotional Development Group (4pm - 5pm) focuses on children aged 6-9 years old aiding in the development of recognising and expanding on their social and emotional well-being such as positive self talk, dispute resolution skills and fostering friendships.

• Wednesday Procedural & Comprehension Group (5pm - 6pm) is reserved for our older aged school children usually aged between 8-12 years old. We explore our social and emotional skills through more hands on activities, ranging from creating science experiments all the way to baking delicious brownies.

• Saturday Artist in Residence and Buzzy Builders Groups (9.30am - 11.30) offers exciting opportunities to enhance our creativity and foster personal growth through exploration across multiple mediums including through art and lego.

Goals of the Programs:

• Help children recognise and expand their social skills by using the group as a place to practice and experience success in their social interactions

• Facilitate emotional self-expression, assertive communication, and self-confidence

• Provide fun, co-operative group experiences, with lots of sensory-motor and play activities, and discussion of coping strategies and problem-solving techniques
  

How are the groups run?

• An intake phone call will be conducted to discuss areas of concerns and individual goals, prior to the program commencing.

• The groups are run by a psychologist and early childhood educator trainee. A 50-min group session consists of supervised activities and discussions with a small group of children. The groups consist of some structured activities – ‘joining in’ games, drawing, music, art, play, relaxation, and games, all designed with a social/emotional focus. Assertive communication and self-regulation is promoted.

What kind of feedback do parents and guardians receive? Do we need to attend the sessions?

• Parents do not attend the sessions but receive verbal feedback during a progress meeting. At the end of the course, parents & guardians will receive an individualised report with your child’s strengths and highlighted areas of challenge that will aid in constructing practical strategies to use at home and school.

• We value clear communication with both parents, guardians and children. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us at info@beekindpsychology.com.au or on 0418 544 997
  

Health Insurance, Medicare and Cost:

• Weekdays: $130 per session, paid upfront as a 'package' of 8 sessions ($1040)

  Saturday Cost: $150 (1 Hour) / $280 (2 Hours) OR paid upfront ‘package’ of 8 sessions $1200/$2,240

• If your child has a valid Mental Health Care Plan, Medicare will cover some of the cost of each group session. You are eligible to receive a rebate of $22.55 per session.

• If you have private health insurance that covers group therapy programs, you can process your claim online using the paid invoice we will send to your email.

Key Details:

• WHERE: Bee Kind Psychology, 8 Robbs Parade, Northcote, 3070

• THERAPISTS: Isabella (Provisional Psychologist), Kate (Group Facilitator), Annie (Group Facilitator), Tara (Group Facilitator), David (Group Facilitator).