I CAN imagination club®
For kids with ‘big imaginations’!
Our primary school mentoring program ‘I CAN Imagination Club®’ is a program for students who have learning differences or experience social anxiety whom may/ may not have an Autism diagnosis. The program engages a broad range of students.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Albert Einstein
WHERE
I CAN Imagination Club® can be implemented in any school setting. Schools decide, in conversation with I CAN staff, on an appropriate space to run the program within the school (e.g classroom or library), or online.
HOW
Participants for the program are determined by each school’s teacher supervisor. The program involves 10 – 15 group mentoring sessions which run weekly or fortnightly for 1 hour.
WHO
Two I CAN Mentors (Network Leader and Mentor) facilitate each session, at least one of whom is Autistic. All I CAN staff hold valid Working with Children’s Checks or Blue Cards. Each session must be supervised by a registered teacher.
primary school program
Each session is designed to develop optimism, belonging, confidence and emotional literacy in the students to help them channel their strengths and develop resilience.
During the sessions I CAN staff avoid the term ‘Autism’ as many families are yet to disclose a diagnosis or are in the middle of a diagnostic process.
Inter-school programs are also available where multiple schools come together from the same region to form a group. This option works particularly well in regional areas.
PRIMARY SCHOOL MODULES
Emotional Literacy
Students are given practical advice on how to best navigate their personal emotional landscapes. Emotional literacy is explored through the I CAN Imagination Club® mascot: ‘Cam the Chameleon’.
Listening & compromise
Students build their skills in listening and compromise through group activities, social engagement and personal growth.
Communication & public speaking
Students are encouraged to share what specific areas of communication they find challenging as well as helpful strategies for social interactions and public speaking.
TEAMWORK
Students get to know each through identifying the necessary components of an effective team and the value of what each individual has to offer.
Team projects
Students work together on creative projects which can be exhibited at the program’s end of year celebration.
how to access i can schools
What we offer: We offer weekly one hour group mentoring sessions for up to 16 Autistic students in both primary and high schools. Our packages also include educational talks for students and parents as well as professional development workshops for school staff.
I CAN Schools Online: We also offer an online version of our successful face-to-face program. See this leaflet for more details.
Areas served: Greater Melbourne, South West Victoria, Goulburn Murray Victoria, Brisbane Queensland, South East Queensland, North Coast Queensland
How to access: Interested schools can write to us at mentoring@icannetwork.com.au for program details, prices and packages. For families who are keen to bring our program to their young person’s school, we recommend starting with hosting an I CAN presenter on campus for an introductory presentation. We can also provide tailored templates and information for parents/carers to use for approaching school leadership who might not be familiar with our programs.
