| Volume 24 Number 23 | December 5, 2023 |
Developing a Resource for Arts Educators to Enhance the Social and Emotional Well-being of Young People
Leanne Fried
Telethon Kids Institute, Australia
Christine Lovering
Edith Cowan University, Australia
Sarah Falconer
Telethon Kids Institute, Australia
Jacinta Francis
Telethon Kids Institute, Australia
Robyn Johnston
Telethon Kids Institute, Australia
Karen Lombardi
Telethon Kids Institute, Australia
Kevin Runions
School Mental Health Ontario, Canada
Karen Forde
Telethon Kids Institute, Australia
Naomi Crosby
Telethon Kids Institute, Australia
Lilly Blue
Art Gallery of Western Australia, Australia
Citation: Fried, L., Lovering, C., Falconer, S., Francis, J., Johnston, R., Lombardi, K., Runions, K., Forde, K., Crosby, N., & Blue, L. (2023). Developing a resource for arts educators to enhance the social and emotional well-being of young people. International Journal of Education & the Arts, 24(23). http://doi.org/10.26209/ijea24n23
Abstract
Background: Mental health concerns prevent positive well-being and are key challenges for Australian children and young people. Arts organisations play a role in enhancing the positive mental health of children and young people. This paper describes the involvement of young people and their parents in the development of a resource for arts organisation’s intentional support of social and emotional well-being.
Methods: Six focus groups were conducted with 19 young people who participate in dance, drama, and circus programs, and 17 of their parents. Questions explored how the arts currently, and potentially, support their social and emotional well-being.
Results: Three overarching themes: Connecting with Others; Being Myself; and Teaching Methods, plus 14 sub-themes were identified.
Conclusion: A framework of well-being factors and pedagogies was developed to guide the creation of a resource to help support the social and emotional well-being of young people participating in arts programs.
