The Resilience Project  Conference

Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness in Action

Alisha Kums, Early Childhood Teacher 

In May, five of our Glen Education educators were fortunate to attend the Resilience Project conference, hosted at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. The conference drew educators from around Victoria. Attendees represented a range of educational settings which included kindergarten, primary schools, and secondary schools. 

The conference was opened by “The Resilience Project” founder, Hugh Van Cuylenberg.  Hugh described how his journey to build the Resilience Project began, looking back at the mental health issues that he witnessed within his own family and early teaching career and moving on to the perspectives he gained by travelling through rural Australia and volunteering in India. 

The key ideas of the Resilience Project focus on the concepts of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy.  Hugh explained how these concepts had made a difference in his own life and the ways that these concepts can influence individuals and communities. 

Emotional literacy is the ability to recognise, understand and manage our emotions and the emotions of others. Hugh described how when we can identify our own emotions, it becomes easier to extend empathy to others. In kindergarten settings an example of this concept in practice could be when a child is able to recognise that their feelings are hurt when a toy is taken.  Educators would discuss how it felt and what possible solutions may be with the child. If they observe the same thing happen to another child, it is easier for the first child to empathise with their peer as the first child has experienced similar emotions. We can't connect to an emotion that we haven't felt before, building emotional literacy in early childhood, supports children to develop a positive and flexible thinking skills. 

The next session focussed on supporting educators to develop their own healthy mindset habits, reminding educators that although the Resilience Project is being implemented in kindergartens and schools their mission statement is  

To teach positive mental health strategies to help people become happier

As such, it is important that educators take time to care for themselves as well. All attendees were encouraged to reflect on the ways that they engage in mindfulness during the day and what strategies they already use or could begin to practice the GEM concepts in their own lives.  Each person contributed a post it note with an intention for how they take 5 minutes from their day to care for themselves. It was an important reminder after facing so many challenges over the past two years.

Reflecting on the conference, each one of our educators came away feeling inspired by the powerful stories of strength, courage and vulnerability shared by the keynote speakers.  The conference provided practical ideas, such as strategies to practice deep breathing, however it also drove home the importance of explicitly teaching children these concepts.  Each educator gained a deeper understanding of why we talk and educate about Kindness and gratitude and how to incorporate these into our programs authentically.