YOUTH CURRICULUM
Full of Ourselves
Frequently-Asked Questions
Who are the girl participants? Do they need to be at risk for an eating disorder?
This prevention program is aimed at a general (i.e., healthy) population of girls; no one need be at risk to participate. Every group member needs to commit to attending all of the sessions; this is not a drop-in program.
How large is a Full of Ourselves group?
Ideal group size is 8-15 girls.
Who should lead the program sessions?
One or, preferably, two women are needed to facilitate group sessions. You can be teachers, counselors, nurses, after-school personnel, therapists, moms: anyone who shares a commitment to girls’ healthy development and to the ideas presented in this curriculum. You also must be available to dedicate 2-4 months to this educational endeavor. Because the program is largely discussion-based, it helps if group leaders have experience guiding discussions. Guide is the operative word: think of yourselves as guides rather than teachers.
Give me an idea of what happens during a Full of Ourselves group.
Each Full of Ourselves unit takes 45-60 minutes to complete. Through dozens of activities-discussions, art activities, role plays, guided meditations, etc.-girls explore a range of topics to help sustain them in their mental, physical and social well-being. Topics include self and body acceptance, media literacy, nourishing emotional hungers, and the power of healthy relationships. Each unit ends with a "Call to Action"; girls translate new-found knowledge into positive action at school, at home and in the wider world.
How are the younger girls involved?
The exciting second program phase is where some of the most profound learning takes place. The 6 th, 7 th or 8 th graders, now mentors, design and lead a predetermined number of sessions for 4 th or 5 th grade girls. They draw upon suggested activities in a second curriculum titled Throw Your Weight Around: A Guide for Girl Leaders.
What are your goals?
Numerous! Most importantly, we want girls to gain higher levels of body and self acceptance, higher levels of self esteem and confidence, as well as a wider range of coping skills to use in response to stressful situations-rather than turning to a fad diet or a bag of chips! Ideally, by program’s end, girls will also demonstrate healthier eating and exercise habits, advanced leadership skills, the courage to speak up in the face of "weightist" teasing and bullying, and a proficiency with basic media literacy skills.
How do you know if the program’s a success?
We extensively evaluated the program with more than 1000 girls in five states. Participating and control group girls answered a research questionnaire pre-program, post-program and six months later. Research reveals that Full of Ourselves is feasible, that it causes no harm, and that it effects positive changes in several key areas. This is the first prevention program of its kind to effect sustained positive changes in girls’ body image, body satisfaction and body esteem, important risk factors in the development of eating disorders. The program also resulted in sustained positive changes in girls’ knowledge about health, nutrition, weightism and puberty.
|
Where to next?
Full of Ourselves moves out into the wider world, as we publish and disseminate the program nationwide. To support quality program implementation, we will run National Leader Training Institutes in Boston and other regional centers.
How do I get a copy of the curriculum?
Full of Ourselves is being published by Teachers College Press (www.tcpress.com) with an anticipated publication date of October 2005. Order online (http://store.tcpress.com/0807746312.shtml) from Teachers College Press or by phone (800) 575-6566.