skip to main content
Back to search results

KooLKIDS: Whole Class and Intensive Programs

The University of Queensland

KooLKIDS supports children aged 8-11 years to strengthen self-esteem and social skills and reduce challenging behaviour.

  • Online

Pricing: Paid

Origin: Developed in Australia for Australian schooling contexts

Affiliations: Approved elsewhere: Be You

Product type: Program; Posters; Fact sheets; Online resources (e.g. videos, games, tools, readings); Student activities; Activity sheets; Professional learning; Learning modules; Class lesson plans

Contact details

The University of Queensland
ABN: 63 942 912 684

https://www.kool-kids.com.au

selinfo@uq.edu.au

Focus areas

  • Positive relationships

  • Belonging and inclusion

  • Mental health literacy and life skills

  • Self-regulation and engagement

  • Resilience and optimism

  • Self-esteem and body image

Curriculum alignment

  • Health and PE

Prospective users

Audience: Whole class universal (Tier 1), Intensive individualised approach (Tier 3)

Context: School or centre-based, E-schools

Main beneficiaries: Year 3, Year 4, Year 5

Delivery style: Classroom teacher is trained

Aims & approach

Using engaging activities and multi-media resources, KooLKIDS aims to empower children to understand their strengths and emotions, develop self-esteem, and learn empathy and friendship skills.

KooLKIDS Whole of Class Program: has 4 key modules comprised of 13 sessions delivered flexibly across a term or a semester by a class teacher.

KooLKIDS Intensive Program: aims to empower these children and their peers to live well with themselves and others, by learning social, emotional, and cognitive skills that promote self-regulation and wellbeing.

The programs are delivered using a combination of whole-of-class and individual sessions and is organised around 4 key modules:

  • Know your strengths (self-esteem, resilience)
  • Understanding our emotions (self-awareness, self-management)
  • Understanding others' emotions (social awareness, relationships skills)
  • Live well with others (responsible decision making, social and friendship skills)

A key person in the school is trained to be the KooLKIDS Facilitator - to implement the Intensive program and support classroom teachers to implement the Whole of Class program.

Costs vary depending on paper-based or digital access to resources, and the volume needed.

Implementation support

  • Access to professional facilitator, instructor or mentor
  • Implementation training webinars or modules
  • Ongoing helpdesk, email or phone support

Evidence

KooLKIDS is based on research into the contextual and psychosocial determinants of the development of social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in young children. It draws on evidence-based cognitive behavioural theory, self-regulation, and social skills interventions for children. It also maps on to the CASEL key capabilities.

The impact of the program is supported by positive outcomes found in evaluations. References include:

  • Houghton, S., Carroll, A., Zadow, C., Sanders-O'Connor, E., Hattie, J., & Lynn, S. (2017). Treating Children with Early Onset Conduct Problems and Callous Unemotional Traits: An Empirical Evaluation of KooLKIDS. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 22 (4), 350-364. DOI 10.1080/13632752.2017.1301646.
  • Carroll, A., Sanders-O'Connor, E., Houghton, S., Hattie, J., Lynn, S., & Donovan, C. (2017). A preliminary empirical evaluation of KooLKIDS: A school-based program to reduce early onset antisocial behavior in children. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 42 (1), 22-35. DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2016.1190004).