The Resilience Project in the ELC
Building the Foundations of Wellbeing in the ELC
Lyn Pewtress, Director of ELC
At Kilvington, The Resilience Project has been embedded across the School for several years as part of its commitment to student wellbeing.
This year, we are delighted to introduce the program to the Early Learning Centre, further strengthening our approach to supporting children's social and emotional development.
Aligned with the School’s wellbeing framework, The Resilience Project focuses on building positive mental health and resilience through four key pillars: Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy (known as the GEM model).
In the early years, the program is not delivered as a standalone subject; rather, it is woven throughout our daily practices, play experiences, interactions and learning environments. Importantly, it involves not only children, but also educators, families and the wider community, creating a shared language and understanding around wellbeing.
Modelling Gratitude and Empathy
Across the ELC, wellbeing experiences are incorporated into group times, outdoor play, learning provocations and everyday conversations. We intentionally model gratitude by celebrating achievements, acknowledging acts of kindness and encouraging children to reflect on positive experiences. During group discussions, children are invited to share what they are grateful for, helping them develop an appreciation of the people and moments that bring them joy.
Empathy is nurtured through respectful relationships and meaningful conversations about feelings. Educators use emotional language to help children identify and understand their emotions while encouraging perspective-taking through questions such as, “How do you think your friend feels?” These discussions support children to recognise that others may experience emotions differently and help develop caring and compassionate responses.
Our Pre-Prep children are currently exploring emotions by taking expressive photographs of one another and identifying feelings in themselves and others. This engaging experience has encouraged children to observe facial expressions and develop emotional awareness.
Practising Mindfulness
Mindfulness encourages children to focus on the present moment and develop strategies for self-regulation. Throughout the day, educators provide opportunities for children to slow down, reflect and become aware of their bodies and emotions.
The Marine Group, for example, has introduced a relaxation routine following outdoor play as a transition to lunchtime. Children lie quietly on the floor, balancing a “magic stone” on their forehead while placing their hands on their tummy and noticing each breath moving in and out. They also enjoy practising breathing techniques such as Mountain Breathing, helping them develop calmness, focus and body awareness.
Building Emotional Literacy
Emotional Literacy is a significant component of our daily program, particularly as young children are still learning to identify, express and manage their emotions. Through stories, discussions, songs and movement experiences, children explore concepts such as kindness, respect, inclusion and friendship.
Educators consistently model emotional literacy language during routines and play, facilitating conversations about feelings and relationships while demonstrating care and empathy. Comments such as, “I really like how you are showing kindness,” help children recognise positive social behaviours and develop the vocabulary to describe their emotions and interactions.
Cozy Koala and Family Connections
The introduction of The Resilience Project has enriched our wellbeing program through a wide range of play-based learning experiences and family engagement opportunities. One of the most popular initiatives has been the Cozy Koala take-home program, which supports children and families to practise GEM strategies together at home.
The program includes a special take-home bag containing Cozy, a journal for documenting adventures, and a personalised story created by Tamara and the Magenta children, Cozy Koala and the Feelings Tree.
Cozy’s visits have inspired many learning experiences across the ELC. The Magnolia Group’s inquiry into space has led to the creation of a collaborative story about Cozy and his friends travelling through space. Cozy has also accompanied the Daintree Group to specialist classes, while a “feelings basket” featuring characters from the story has supported storytelling and imaginative play for our three-year-old children. To further extend this learning, children will create self-portraits using natural materials to represent a chosen emotion.
The benefits of implementing The Resilience Project are extensive. By supporting self-regulation, emotional understanding and positive relationships, the program strengthens children's social and emotional capabilities and enhances their sense of belonging and connection. Equally important, it supports educator and family wellbeing, strengthens partnerships and helps create a consistent, whole-community approach to nurturing resilience and positive mental health.