Programs

B.E.S.T. Wellness Coaches facilitate a wide range of mental health programs for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. 

These evidence-based programs are chosen in consultation with the classroom teachers and principals to ensure they address current social and emotional student needs. Programming may look different in different classes, schools, or communities based on the Wellness Coach's skill set and student needs.

​The programs focus on mental health and are delivered to the entire class (not individual students). We believe that no matter what the lesson is about - bullying, anxiety, stress or other - if a few students could benefit from learning about it, the whole class can also benefit. Maybe only a few students are experiencing bullying or anxiety, but the class as a whole can benefit from learning about the topic and ways to support their peers.

Our programs are designed to build the teacher's capacity as well as the students', therefore, the teacher is expected to participate in the activity/program and must be present the entire time the Wellness Coach is in their classroom. The Wellness Coach will not start until the teacher is present and the teacher is not to leave while the Wellness Coach is in their classroom.

Once a program has been facilitated in a teacher's class, the Wellness Coach works with the teacher to support the teacher's facilitation of that program.

Below is a list of programs that we offer. Wellness Coaches and the B.E.S.T. team are also able to create programs to fit the class. If you are looking for programming on a certain topic and you don't see one below that fits, ask us and we might have just the thing! To see programs listed by age-group please see the drop-down list at the top of the page. 

Click on any of the programs to see more information!​

• Slumberkins: (Kindergarten-Grade 2) These soft, cuddly creatures give young learners the language to begin understanding their emotions and the strengths within themselves. Uses simple language and hands on activities.
• Kimochis: (Kindergarten-Grade 2) These creatively inspired creatures help children start to learn that emotions and communication can sometimes be complicated. Kimochis help them gain confidence in their abilities to face challenging situations.
• Little Spot: (Kindergarten-Grade 2) Using books, activities, and adorable stuffed emotion spots, this program helps young learners deepen their understanding of emotions and ways to handle challenging emotions.
• Worry Woos: (Kindergarten-Grade 3) This is a creative program with stuffed animal creatures that help young students identify, understand, and cope with difficult feelings.
• Kids Have Stress Too!: (All Grades) Helps kids of all ages recognize stress, develop healthy coping strategies, and build confidence to navigate life's ups and downs - both in and out of the classroom. 
• Superflex: (Grades 1-4) This program uses stories and activities to turn students into social-thinking superheroes who help fellow citizens defeat the socially unaware "Unthinkables." A fun take on social emotional learning.
• Kelso's Choice: (Grades 1-4) Kelso the frog and his sidekick Lilly help kids gain confidence in solving conflict, learn about building character, and explore ways to regulate their emotions.
• Zones of Regulation: (Grades 1-4) With interactive smartboard presentations, engaging activities, and helpful worksheets, this program helps students better understand their reactions to events and ways to regulate their emotions when they need to.
• GoZen!: (Grades 3-6) Students learn ways to manage stress, anxiety, anger, limiting mindsets, and procrastination through engaging videos, worksheets, and activities. There are many programs within the GoZen platform, making it possible to choose one in-depth program that addresses one of the above-mentioned themes.
• Second Step: (All Grades) Students learn about themselves and the way they interact with those around them through lessons that focus on growth mindset, goal setting, emotion management, empathy, kindness, and problem solving.
• Choose Love Movement: (All Grades) This program focuses on building empathy, kindness, and compassion in students to reduce bullying and hatred. 
• Open Parachute: (All Grades) Featuring real life kids' stories of challenges and successes, this program provides practical guidance to kids on a wide variety of topics, including stress, friendship, self-worth, and problem solving.
• ​Healthy Relationships Plus: (Grades 7-12) This program targets the prevention of violence through the promotion of positive, healthy relationships. It uses open dialogue and role playing to engage students in enthusiastic discussions about peer pressure, help-seeking, media literacy, healthy and unhealthy peer and dating relationships, and healthy communication. This program is intended for youth between the ages of 12 and 18. Also available in French.
• Kids in the Know: (Grades 1-8) This is the Canadian Centre for Child Protection's national safety education program. It engages students with interactive activities to increase kids' personal safety skills to reduce their risk of online and real world victimization. Resources also available in French.
• Student Wellness Action Team (S.W.A.T.): Wellness Coaches are able to facilitate student-led initiatives. Student Wellness Action Team is a group of students who work together to bring wellness to their school. This looks different in each school as teams respond to the school's unique needs. Some of the examples of what S.W.A.T. does in various schools include: helping to lead recess games, organizing recycling, providing fruit tastings, leading brain-breaks, providing positive morning announcements, and other health initiatives.

If you are looking for programs and/or resources available in French please contact your school Wellness Coach or the B.E.S.T. Program Manager.