YEARS 5 & 6
MY HEALTHY BRAIN
PART 1
COURSE OUTLINE
Introduction
Introducing My Healthy Brain Part 1, online modules for Year 5 & 6 students. Under the umbrella ‘Save Your Brain’ (SYB) series, promotes an understanding of how the brain develops throughout the early years, and introduces students to the impact of substances which can harm such development. Importantly it covers how students can make healthier decisions that will affect their brain and body. The benefits of healthy choices will also be discussed.
My Healthy Brain Part 1 Year 5 & 6 curriculum supports students to develop knowledge and skills to create opportunities to enhance their own and others' health, wellbeing and safety with regard to harmful substances. Students develop skills to manage their emotions, understand the physical and social changes that are occurring for them.
The content provides opportunities for students to contribute to building a positive school environment that supports healthy, safe and active choices for everyone. Students also explore a range of factors and behaviours that can influence health, safety and wellbeing.
Expected Benefits
Prevent teen uptake of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and other illicit drugs via:
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Increased health literacy of drug harms and the volatility of substances.
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adoption of social/negotiation skills to resist unwanted social requests related to drug taking.
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Greater awareness of opportunities, capacity and willingness to seek early help.
Be well informed on the following topics:
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alcohol and other drugs
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food and nutrition (FN)
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mental health and wellbeing
Program Development
The program has been inspired by recent research in the United States through the Institute of Behaviour and Health and other research that shows the importance of ‘Protective Factors’ in child and youth development.
The program has been developed through a combination of research and experience from educators/teachers, neuroscientists, mental health experts, drug and alcohol researchers. It has received feedback from schools, sporting groups, parents and grandparents and will be regularly updated with ongoing feedback.
Schools and Education Providers linked to the Towards Healthier School Communities project will be invited to be first to trial the program.
Cyber Safety
Online safety can be best managed if teachers/parents ensure that material accessed is age appropriate and regularly monitored, especially during periods of individual or group research. In addition, each module should be introduced with an overview and concluded with a debrief.
For Teachers
My Healthy Brain Offers:
Flexibility of content and choice of tasks within each module, to enable tailoring course work to the needs and priorities of their students.
Teachers will know that our experiences and actions affect the way our brains develop with positive role models and interactions from family members and other a such as club leaders, coachers, teachers, friends and social group.
Quality feedback, reactions and experiential learning add to the student’s ‘tool kit’ by helping them to learn:
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Strategies for relating and interacting with others
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Assertive behaviour skill
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How to establish and manage relationships – offline and online
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General health and wellbeing activities
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Observe real resilience skills in action that support ‘bounce back’ behaviour
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How others demonstrate coping skills and ‘help seeking’ strategies
Each Module is linked to the Australian Curriculum.
Format & Topics
This online program comprises three 45-minute flexible, modules/sessions that focus on:
Module 1 – Stages of Brain Development
Module 2 – Identifying and avoiding harmful substances; drugs, vaping, food/dietary issues
Module 3 – Protective Factors – Getting Connected - Managing Challenges
Module 4 - Protective Factors - Relationships and Investigating community resources where help can be found to manage and solve problems
The Pedagogy of online sessions includes explainer videos, information from drug experts and neuroscientists, interactive discussion with young people and activities related to Units of Enquiry to apply learnings.
Links to the Australian Curriculum
Key learning areas -
Health and Physical Education, Technologies
General capabilities -
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding.
Want to get involved?
REACH OUT
If you are interested in participating at any level, or want more information, please contact Jo Baxter at Drug Free Australia