Table 1 “Girls on the Go!” curriculum outline
Session | Duration | Theme | Aim and content |
|---|---|---|---|
Session 1 | 1 hour | Welcome to “Girls on the Go!” | This session outlines the aims of the program and educates the participants on what each of the subsequent sessions would focus on. |
Session 2 | 3 hours | Let’s get to know each other | The participants are given a tour of the Health Centre and are introduced to all members of the facilitator team. The session employs team building games and activities that encourage the participants to learn more about one another and their facilitators, and to become comfortable in the group environment. Goal setting regarding exercise is performed during this session to create a goal for the participants to work towards during the program. Realistic goals are emphasised to encourage feelings of competence and self-determination. |
Session 3 | 3 hours | Body Image and Self-Esteem | To help participants understand the concept of Body Image and related issues. The session involves discussions and a number of activities designed to emphasize how a range of factors can affect Body Image. |
Session 4 | 3 hours | Personal Safety and Assertiveness | The session incorporates the themes of safety and assertiveness with a guest presenter from local police covering topics such as personal safety in public spaces and safe partying for teenagers; presentation on stranger danger for younger age participants and public transport safety; this is followed by another presenter teaching the participants basic self-defence techniques encompassed in Tae Kwon Do. |
Session 6 | 3 hours | A Healthy Mind | To emphasise the importance of mental health, especially during teenage years, and to highlight some methods of managing mental health. Guest speakers inform the participants about others experiences and ways in which to manage stress and adverse thoughts. It involves group participation in a discussion followed by a Yoga Class. |
Session 7 | 3 hours | Physical activity | To help participants understand the importance of physical activity and also to introduce them to a range of activities they may not have thought of before. Allows participants to nominate a form of physical activity which they believe would be of benefit to them. This specific part of the program is to build upon an empowerment model, encouraging the participants to hold responsibility for their own participation in exercise by allowing them to actively plan and implement the session. |
Session 8 | 3 hours | Trust and Confidence | Aim for participants to extend the trust and support they have for each other. Participants take part in an indoor rock climbing activity. Rock climbing is an activity that endorses team work and initiates the formation of new skills. Peer support is promoted throughout the session as the other participants are in control of the individual’s guide ropes. |
Session 9 | 6 hours | Celebration | To reflect on what the participants have learned throughout the program and to celebrate these achievements. The session delivers closure to the program and educates the participants on the ways they can remain healthy and active in the community. |
Session 10 | 1 hour | Connections | The aim of this session is to educate the participants on how to further apply what they had learnt during the program in their school and community, such as organising awareness workshops regarding self-esteem and body image that the participants run through their school. |