9:25pm - Thursday, June 11 on ABC1
Over one year at a central Victorian primary school a group of typical, but also amazing, 10-12 year olds met in a once weekly class to discuss issues concerning their relationships both at school and at home. And Cath South and Stewart Carter filmed this process. The resulting film Kids' Business is a moving account of the kids' struggles over that year.
The class, Solving The Jigsaw, which the school has run for six years, gives the children a setting where they can discuss anything they want relating to their lives. The motto of the group is "there is nothing you can't talk about".
And because of the confidential setting, the kids discuss the most personal, and in some cases heart-rending, issues they face. Death, family feuds, disappointment, exclusion, bullying, and violence at home are all discussed openly and dealt with sensitively.
The class is run by facilitator Bernadette Wright, with the intention of teaching the children how to communicate their feelings and control situations that may feel out of their control. Bernadette fosters a feeling of trust in which the grade 5 and 6 kids feel confident to talk about their lives. But most importantly, they learn how to talk to their parents about what matters to them. The result is a deeply moving insight into the complexities of these children's lives and relationships.
The kids and their families all agreed to share their experiences on film.
FAY WILLIAMS BURTON
I "stumbled" upon the ABC programme as I was using the remote. I stayed glued because I happen to believe that communication and managing conflict are very important areas in all of our lives. Teaching it to children seems to be the way to go, while they are still open to learning it may as well be +ve stuff. Am I able to learn the dynamics of this programme possibly by reading a book or attending workshops etc. By way of professional introduction, I am a qualified Counsellor with a Bach. of Soc. Sc. in Counselling and Mediation from Southern Cross University 2000. I attended a workshop last week on Neuroplasticity of the Brain with regards to Conflict Resolution and Leadership, a bright, new approach in the field of Psychology. Thanking you for your awaited reply.Margaret
Hi Joan, The program "Solving The Jigsaw" is run by EASE - a Bendigo based agency. More information about the program can be found at www.solvingthejigsaw.org.au Regards, MARGARETJoan Sutherland
Can you tell me or show me or link me into the people who run Solving the Jigsaw? I am interested in knowing more for my kids school. Cheers Joan.