Fun Friends program supports children with anxiety

Directors of the Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation also presented the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) $533,870 – representing the support provided students over the past year. Accepting the cheque on behalf of HPEDSB were Trustee Vice-Chair Lucille Kyle, and Director of Education Mandy Savery-Whiteway, from Learning Foundation Chair Geoff Cudmore, Treasurer Dave Clazie.

The Hastings Prince Edward Learning Foundation has provided $19,000 to support the “Fun Friends Program” for students in both the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.

The program is designed to support the treatment and prevention of childhood anxiety in 4-7 year olds. It focuses on increasing social-emotional skills, coping skills and resilience to prevent the onset of emotional and behavioural problems in later life. Children, parents and teachers are taught the intervention skills with the aim of promoting wellness and providing children and families the skills needed to conquer challenge and adversity.

The Learning Foundation notes research shows that as many as 20 per cent of children exhibit moderate to clinical levels of emotional and behavioural disturbances.

The program is based on the concept that the majority of children will feel stress and pressure at some point in the program is to provide children with effective coping and residency skills needed to “bounce back” in those situations. The foundation stated evidence shows that early intervention yield benefits in social and emotional well-being and academic achievement leading to life-long resilience.