YEARS 7 & 8
MY HEALTHY BRAIN
PART 2
COURSE OUTLINE
Introduction
Introducing My Healthy Brain Part 2 online modules for Year 7 & 8 students. This follows on from the Year 5 & 6 resource level under the umbrella of Drug Free Australia’s ‘Save Your Brain’ 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.
There is a focus on Drug Use Prevention and is a neuroscience-based program targeted at young adolescents in middle school years.
My Healthy Brain Part 2 promotes an understanding of how the adolescent brain develops, as well as the short and long-term effects of alcohol and other drugs on the brain.
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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Upskilling young people in drug literacy skills.
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Increasing understanding that drugs and alcohol affect the adolescent brain differently, as the brain is still under construction and not complete until age 25.
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Leveraging positive psychology to create awareness in young people to respect the health of their brains.
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Engaging young people through relevant stories and peer role modelling so they can better navigate complex social situations.
Each Module is linked to the Australian Curriculum.
Format & Topics
This online program comprises five 45-minute flexible, modules/sessions that focus on:
Module 1 - Stages of Brain Development
Module 2 - The impact of Cannabis on the developing brain
Module 3 - The impact of Ecstasy on the developing brain
Module 4 - The impact of Alcohol on the developing brain
Module 5 - Protective Factors – This module invites the use of the ADRA ‘Getting Connected’ education series which includes the following:
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Starting High School
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Feelings
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Motivation
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Stress
Module 6 - Vaping Fact or Fiction?
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