Living Life to the Full courses and resources, developed by Professor Chris Williams, are aimed at primary and high school age children. The Living Life to the Full approach (LLTTF™) is one of the world’s most used ways of communicating a widely recommended type of talking therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT has been used for several decades, and research has led to it being one of the most recommended treatments for low mood and anxiety.
Rather than offering therapy our courses take a cognitive behavioural approach widely recognised as one of the most effective ways of helping develop well-being and resilience by teaching key skills that help build a growing sense of control over how you feel and react, once taught these skills can last a lifetime. All courses have been developed with an exciting range of resources that fit with the criteria for Curriculum for Excellence for younger people.
Living Life to the Full courses remove much of the jargon from the CBT so that it is clearly communicated. By using an accessible language and powerful, clearly communicated change tools, the content aims to ‘help you to help young people help themselves’. We have three courses available, to suit each age group and needs.
Living Life to the Full for Children and Young People is a range of courses and resources designed to be used by Teachers and Supporters (for example in Schools, Charities and CAMH’S teams). The range of resources have strong evidence based content, which has been shown to increase personal learner growth/experiences and resiliency life skills.
We Eat Elephants
The resources are targeted for use with children age 5-8 and 9 – 12 and are:
- Engaging
- Story-based – you tell the story, they learn
- Build on how you think and work with young people
- Gives you resources to teach- with attractive support materials
- Includes everyday situations faced by young people at home and school
- Use the engaging characters to focus attention
- Posters and Feelings cards make learning about emotions fun
- Help children work out why they feel as they do- and make small changes that add up
- No jargon- yet retains the key elements needed for effective change
My Big Life
Lessons and resources are designed to be delivered to young people aged 11-13
‘My Big Life’ lessons and resources are designed to be delivered by teachers or supporters of young people aged 11 -13 during transition from primary to secondary school or for those who experiencing challenges at school or home life. Or those who are experiencing some difficulties such as disciplinary or attendance issues, academic struggles including dyslexia and more.
In just six enjoyable sessions, this course can help young people make a difference to their lives. With supportive guidance at each session, young people learn how to respond when they feel low, worried, or angry and will learn skills that help build resilience, confidence, and ways to tackle everyday problems.
- Session 1: Understanding your feelings
- Session 2: How to get a Big Life (increasing helpful activities)
- Session 3: How to think in a Big Life way (identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts)
- Session 4: Overcoming problems
- Session 5: Building inner confidence
- Session 6: Staying strong when you feel angry
The courses comes with trainer or teacher lesson plans and notes for every session. Additional resources are available for you to print that aim to aid dissemination, including: a small credit card reminder, diary sheet, as well as the worksheets.
Living Life to the Full for Young People
Living Life to the Full for Young People is aimed at High School age young people and is adapted to suit the problems and everyday situations that this age group may encounter. The course is:
- Lesson 1: Understanding your feelings
- Lesson 2: Doing things that make you feel better (increasing helpful activities)
- Lesson 3: Looking at things differently (identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts)
- Lesson 4: Building inner confidence
- Lesson 5: How to fix almost everything in 4 easy steps (Overcoming problems)
- Lesson 6: The things you do that mess you up – and the things you do that help
- Lesson 7: 1, 2, 3, Breathe – taking charge of anger & irritability
- Lesson 8: 10 things you can do to feel happier straight away
- Lessons can be delivered in classes, or online – with options for targeted work with young people in a 1-1 or small groups setting who are facing low mood anxiety and stress.
The courses come with slides, trainer or teacher lesson plans and notes for every session. Additional resources are available for you to print that aim to aid dissemination, including worksheets for every session.
Schools play a very important role in supporting pupil wellbeing, resilience and recovery after the Coronavirus pandemic. Some students will be more affected than others for a variety of reasons, such as if they have an existing mental health conditions or additional needs which make changes in routine difficult. Whatever the circumstances, schools aim to create a safe and supportive environment for all as their main priority, with a focus on not only teaching the curriculum but also prioritising the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
For more information on our courses and resources for children and young people contact orders@fiveareas.com
The Living Life the Full Team.
