Topics for Elementary Schools
Ometz school workshops are a powerful tool to help children and teens navigate their preschool, elementary and high school years. We also offer workshops for teachers, school personnel and parents. Professionals facilitate a variety of workshops with the goal of students and adults alike becoming more social, empathic, and safe.
Managing stress and anxiety
R.I.D.E.S. the Wave program is a classroom-based stress management program for students, developed by experts in school mental health. Sessions cover developmentally appropriate information related to stress and provide concrete strategies to help with stress management.
Conflicts and their resolution
Students will learn the concept of “relational aggression” and its effects on healthy, inclusive friendships. Using role plays, videos and real-life stories, children will become more sensitive to the power of words and body language in hurting others. Students will then focus on “win-win” solutions and the importance of good communication skills.
Social skills
This program will help children develop pro-social behaviours through interactive activities and role modelling. Children will be encouraged to focus on the identification of feelings, the need for empathy and respect, strategies for self-regulation and the importance of expressive communication skills to create strong relationships. Dealing with conflicts in a healthy manner while creating an awareness and tolerance of diversity will be discussed.
Internet safety
Students will have the opportunity to discuss both the positive and negative effects of internet use, including the influence of social media. Internet safety will be highlighted. Cyber bullying and the effects of the internet on personal relationships will be included.
Study skills
Students will be given the opportunity to learn skill-building techniques, including routines around homework, planning work/project schedules, and organizing workplaces for optimal concentration. Coping with stress will be included in the discussion.
Body image and self-esteem
This program empowers students to be the best they can be through information on healthy body image, nutrition and fitness while focusing on the importance of supporting good health and resisting counter-productive lifestyle habits. Gaining confidence and retaining a healthy self-esteem at this transitional time in their lives will be a focus especially considering media, peer influences and the potentially long-term effects of bullying and relational aggression.
Alcohol, smoking, vaping, and drug awareness
Research highlights the need to talk to kids about risky behaviours at younger ages. This program helps students become aware of the signs of risky situations and learn to say “no”. Role playing and use of scenarios will assist in recognizing, understanding, and coping with this issue.
Puberty awareness
Discussions with “tweens” and young adolescents about physical, social, and emotional changes throughout puberty can “demystify” their challenges and concerns. This program also encourages students to develop a healthy body image and positive self-esteem, leaving them to feel more confident and self-assured at a time of identity transitions.
Transition into high school
These sessions help students to develop skills to promote a positive transition into high school. Developmental changes concerning physical, emotional, and social issues will be discussed. Forming new relationships with peers and teachers, navigating an ever-changing schedule, study and organizational skills, healthy responses to stress, working in groups, and exposure to risky behaviours will be included.
Healthy Relationships
this program aims to help students understand the differences between healthy and unhealthy friendships and romantic relationships. Emotional safety in relationships is emphasized. Students are given scenarios to navigate and reflection questions to answer to help increase education and awareness at developmentally appropriate ages.
Consent and Boundaries
These workshops are designed for children of all ages in the school system to learn more about consent at all developmentally appropriate stages. For the younger grades, our consent and boundaries workshops help introduce body autonomy, choice, and saying no. For older grades, our workshops include information on sexual assault, unhealthy relationships, and how to understand when someone is giving consent.