LEARNING ACTIVITY
Creating a yarning circle: yarning and wellbeing
Climate Region: Arid | Temperate | Tropical
State or Territory: ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA
Age Range: 7-13

STORY

Suddenly, the idea came to Mrs Smith: “I know, the yarning circle!” Earlier that week, Mrs Smith had been wondering how to better create a balanced, settled start to the school day.

She had been noticing that recently, some students needed time to settle in the morning and was wondering how to check-in with everyone and establish a positive beginning to the day. That day, during planning time, she looked up some ideas for morning circles. To her amazement, she discovered a great many crossovers between morning circles and the objectives of a yarning circle.

The next day, as soon as the bell rang, Mrs Smith and the class went to the yarning circle for their morning circle. Even just the short time they spent together to check-in, have a chat about how everyone was feeling and identify things that everyone would focus on for the day, helped to make the class feel more connected and ready to start the day.

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

This activity is the final activity in an 8-part activity sequence that has been developed to help you design, build and use a yarning circle in your space.

This activity will help you make connections between yarning and wellbeing programs, and how you can use yarning circles to support respectful, honest and open communication to promote connectedness among students.

The order of these learning activities are: background, site selection, involving First Nations people, building the yarning circle, connecting to Landcare, using the yarning circle, yarning circle activities and yarning and wellbeing.

Outcomes

For children to:

  • use the yarning circle as part of their wellbeing programs
  • feel confident and comfortable talking about their feelings
  • understand that communication can help improve the way they feel.
SEASONAL NOTES

This activity can be undertaken at any time of the year.

Did you know?

For First Nations people, good health is more than just the absence of disease; it includes physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual wellbeing, for both the individual and the community.

 

Did you know?

Feeling connected is an important part of wellbeing. Connectedness and belonging help learners feel respected, included and supported.

Did you know?

A yarning circle provides a safe place for all to speak without judgement.

Did you know?

For First Nations people, good health is more than just the absence of disease; it includes physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual wellbeing, for both the individual and the community.

 

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When you have finished this learning activity, please tell us what you think with our survey.
Your feedback will help Landcare Australia improve the activities in the Junior Landcare Learning Centre.

Why not try one of our other Junior Landcare learning activities?

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