1. Programs Directory

Positive Living Skills

PLS Learning Solutions Australasia Pty Ltd

The Positive Living Skills Wellbeing Program is a suite of early prevention and intervention programs.

Overview

Alignment with Be You Domains

  • Mentally Healthy Communities

  • Learning Resilience

  • Early Support

Alignment with Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)

  • Children are confident and involved learners
  • Children are connected with and contribute to their world
  • Children are effective communicators
  • Children have a strong sense of identity
  • Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

Alignment with Australian Curriculum

  • English
  • Health and PE
  • The Arts

Target audience

  • Early learning
  • Primary school

Target groups

  • Individual
  • Small group
  • Whole class
  • Whole school

Aims

The Positive Living Skills Wellbeing Program offers early prevention and intervention programs which teaches children skills to recognise, regulate and self-direct emotions and behaviours, foster empathy, build resilience, focus in connected and positive ways, The programs aims to help children develop a secure sense of self, form healthy relationships and interact appropriately with others, foster appreciation and gratitude and build effective communication skills. The programs also support educator wellbeing and families.

Program theory

The programs are based on CASEL’s 5 core competencies for social and emotional learning, and the theories of priming and distributed practice to build long-term habits for emotional wellbeing. It also calls on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, neuroscience and Rotter’s social learning theory to support an internal locus of control. The programs also use the concepts of growth mindset, self-leadership, gratitude practice, mindfulness, healthy self-esteem and building relationship and problem-solving skills that encourage cooperative win-win solutions.

Topics

Early childhood to Year 6: There are 6 core concept units (highlights, feelings, focus, relaxation, cooperation, self-esteem). Years 3 to 6: Offers an additional 6 concept units (appreciation, choice, communication, solutions, leadership, potential).

Cost

Early Childhood Wellbeing platform packages start at $770 (12 month recurring subscription) and the PLS Primary School Wellbeing Program is $3995 (Lifetime Licence.) Small schools contact PLS for pricing. Visit www.positivelivingskills.com.au for more information.

Program structure

Early childhood: 48 sessions (songs, animations, digital download learning stories and activity guides for children from birth to 3. Primary school: 216 sessions (visual and audio resources, and planning, mapping and assessment tools). The program is flexible, and all learning experiences and resources can be used as required. Where a learning community is implementing Positive Living Skills as a whole-school or whole-service program, it is recommended that every class delivers the same lesson once a week across the whole school or service (this is flexible).

Instructor

  • Educator
  • Wellbeing leader

Instructor training

Positive Living Skills team provide onboarding and staff introduction to the program and the concepts via on-demand online sessions or webinars (2 to 3 hours). Programs include professional development (PD) sessions for educators (15-minute to 30-minute learning experience sessions and 90-minute PD sessions). PD sessions are not required before program delivery.

Supporting resources or materials available with program

  • Online webinars

Other materials

Digital resources, on-demand online information sessions, professional development online workbooks.

Ongoing support

Observation and feedback via educator surveys. Ongoing phone and email support. Additional training, if requested.

Parent involvement

Not provided

Origin of program

Australia

PLS Learning Solutions Australasia Pty Ltd

Program authors

Catherine Shaw, Jo Devin

Address
GR, 100 Walker St,North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia
Phone
+61 2 9135 2959
Email
team@positivelivingskills.com.au
website
Visit website

Ratings

2/4 Evidence
3/4 Implementation

Summary of evidence factors

This is a summary of the evaluation or research study characteristics that contribute to the program’s evidence rating.

Positive impact on at least one outcome for children and/or young people? No
Link between program description and theory of change Comprehensive
Study design Qualitative/Post cohort
Independence Completely

Summary of implementation factors

This is a summary of the program’s characteristics that contribute to its implementation rating.

Feedback sought from participants Yes
Feedback sought from instructors Yes
Groups program is not suitable for Not assessed
Training provided during study Web based
Ongoing instructor support provided during study Yes

Context

This is a summary of the context in which the evidence for the program was established.

Study Participants

Early learning

Primary school
Country of Study/s

Australia
Location of Study/s in Australia

NSW
Evaluation of program in culturally and linguistically diverse populations No
Evaluation of program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people No
Evaluation of program in low socioeconomic groups Yes
Developmental based adaptations to program design and delivery No
Evaluation of program in children and young people with disability and/or learning difference Yes

Last updated: 5 October 2023