Description
Bullying is a widespread issue impacting millions of students worldwide.
WHO Global School-based Student Health Survey reveals that approximately 30% of students aged 13-15 are involved in bullying, either as victims, perpetrators, or both, and according to FRA about 20% of school students face bullying daily.
The rise of cyberbullying adds a new layer of complexity, underscoring the urgent need for effective, comprehensive strategies to create safer, more supportive school environments.
In this hands-on course, you’ll immerse yourself in Finland’s cutting-edge methods for combating bullying and enhancing student well-being.
Discover how Finnish schools masterfully cultivate inclusive, empowering environments where every student can excel emotionally and socially. Through engaging workshops and practical, real-world examples, you’ll acquire actionable tools and strategies to address all forms of bullying – both in-person and online.
The course will introduce to you four sets of tools and strategies for anti-bullying that are widely used in Finnish schools of different levels.
The first tool is the transformative KiVa School Program, renowned for its research-backed approach that mobilizes the entire school community to preempt and manage bullying.
You will learn how KiVa’s innovative tools, interactive classroom activities, and comprehensive school engagement strategies not only tackle physical bullying but also effectively address the growing issue of cyberbullying.
The second tool is the VERSO peer mediation system, a restorative approach that equips students with skills to mediate conflicts among peers.
This empowering method fosters open dialogue, empathy, and lasting behavioral change, enabling students to resolve disputes constructively and maintain positive relationships.
Thirdly, you will explore the Steps of Responsibility model to guide students in understanding the impact of their actions and taking ownership of their behavior.
This approach promotes a culture of accountability that extends beyond the classroom, supporting responsible behavior in both face-to-face and online interactions.
Lastly, you will also discover Huomaa Hyvä! (See the Good!), a method that champions positive reinforcement by celebrating students’ strengths and achievements.
This approach creates a nurturing, respectful school atmosphere, effectively reducing the risk of bullying and fostering a sense of belonging.
Throughout the course, you’ll participate in hands-on workshops, review case studies, and learn from real-world examples provided by Finnish schools. You’ll have the opportunity to apply these proven strategies to your own school environments.
By the end of the course, you will be equipped to create a safer, more supportive school environment, reduce bullying and school violence, tackle cyberbullying challenges, and foster the emotional and social growth of all students.
What is included
Learning outcomes
The course will help participants to:
- Learn about Finnish anti-bullying strategies;
- Implement effective anti-bullying tools and activities in your educational settings;
- Develop strategies to prevent and manage bullying;
- Foster a supportive and positive school culture using proven methods;
- Design a practical plan for enhancing your school’s approach to bullying.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Course introduction
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools.
Finland’s holistic approach to bullying
- Introduction to Finland’s educational philosophy;
- National anti-bullying policies.
Day 2 – KiVa School Program, a comprehensive, research-backed anti-bullying tool
- Introduction to the KiVa School Program;
- Key principles and framework;
- Practical Workshop 1: KiVa Classroom activities.
Day 3 – VERSO peer mediation system & step of responsibility
- Explore the VERSO system and how it empowers students to mediate conflicts among peers;
- Examine how the Steps of Responsibility Model encourages students to understand the impact of their actions and promotes a culture of accountability;
- Practical workshop 2: Active listening, empathy, and dialogue through role-play.
Day 4 – Huomaa Hyvä! (See the Good!), strength-based approach to fostering a positive school environment
- Overview of the Huomaa Hyvä! method: how, what, and why?;
- Case Studies from Finnish Schools: See the good! The method in practice;
- Practical workshop 3: How to design a learning environment that fosters positivity and belonging?
Day 5 – Wrap up and future planning
- Review of anti-bullying strategies and key takeaways;
- Future planning and action: creating your school’s anti-bullying plan.
Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.
