What's the Buzz?

What's the Buzz? is a unique 16 lesson social skills enrichment programme designed to explicitly teach children how to think and relate socially.

It is for children, who for all manner of reasons, struggle to make friends and fit in socially.

Term one topics

• Meeting people
• How to get good attention
• Following instructions
• Being friendly
• Competition; playing for fun and friendship
• Feelings, identification
• Feelings, early warning signs
• The power of positive thinking. Celebration and certificate

Term two topics

• Tricks to stay calm under pressure
• Responding to the feelings of others
• Dealing with worry
• Handling disappointment
• Responding to bullying
• The 'art' of a friendly conversation
• Giving compliments
• Tuning into what's happening around you. Celebration and certificate

This lively, highly practical role-play and play-based programme targets everyday themes - how to greet, make and keep friends, fit in, read one’s own emotions, read the feelings of others, deal with competition and cope with worry, frustration and disappointment more constructively.

The engaging direct method of instruction is designed on an extensive body of research believed to stimulate social thinking and accomplish powerful outcomes. What’s the Buzz? is;

Sequenced - it follows a logical break down of each skill
Active - it uses role-plays and rehearsal with feedback
Focused - it dedicates time solely towards teaching a specific skill
Explicit - it teaches a specific social/ emotional skill each session

The programme has wide appeal to teachers, counsellors, psychologists, teacher assistants, support staff and parent volunteers in schools. While tailored for small specific groups of children it also has a broader multi-purpose scope with larger mainstream classes. What’s the Buzz? has applications in private clinical settings; psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, social workers, and allied health professionals. Recognising the most influential people in a child’s life, each lesson includes extensive notes offering parents and teachers handy ideas to reinforce the themes presented.

Beyond seeing students absorb the new skills taught there are two additional bonuses that consistently emerge from the program. The first is witnessing warm interactions blossom between participants and the formation of new friendships. Secondly, is seeing parents enjoy one another's company, exchange thoughts and find support in each other over coffee while children's sessions are in progress.

Click below to learn more or print a brochure.

To register interest you may phone, Australia (08) 8332 0698 or email Mark (mark@marklemessurier.com.au).

What's the Buzz? is due to be released internationally by the Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group (London) and for release early in 2011. This book will be complimented by the website www.whatsthebuzz.net.au (currently under construction). The website will offer online TRAINING MODULES, options to access and personalise all of the images, games, role-play cards, certificates, worksheets and a specialised capability to evaluate the data from the pre and post survey forms. What’s the Buzz? is truly data driven. Online accreditation as a registered trainer/facilitator will become available.

Download PDF file.