The HVF in Australia
I appreciated the opportunity of introducing and teaching the EHV programme to a Canberra school for the last three months of 2007.
I appreciated the opportunity of introducing and teaching the EHV programme to a Canberra school for the last three months of 2007.
My experiences gave me a stronger awareness of how valuable EHV is for children in Australian schools. I found most children were responsive to the programme, and started applying what they learnt both in the classroom and in the playground. They began to use the concepts and language of the values which were covered.
It appeared that EHV assists children to take greater responsibility for their behaviour and to make positive choices more consistently. I noticed that the children were becoming more self-aware, as well as more considerate to others. EHV assisted them to reflect on their behaviour, and to think before taking action. It helped them to know themselves better and relate to others more effectively. Most of all, it assisted them to improve in confidence and self-esteem.
Several children told me how much they enjoyed the programme. The children particularly enjoyed the story related to the value for each lesson, and effectively used it to discuss the weekâ•˙s value. The children enjoyed the songs, as could be seen from their enthusiastic response when we sang the previously learnt songs. They produced wonderful creative work for the activities component of each lesson, and enjoyed having their work on display in their classrooms and in the school foyer.
Most children mastered the Silent Sitting (scripted visualisation) quickly and gained from the experience. During the Silent Sitting they appeared to go deeply within and afterwards commented on how calm, peaceful and happy they felt. While some children found Silent Sitting challenging, it could be that with more practice they would benefit the most, as it in particular seems to assist with concentration and being able to be still and listen.
I would highly recommend the EHV programme for Australian school children. I am happy to speak with anyone who would like more information.
Marianne Bateup,
Education in Human Values in Australia
e-mail - Marianne Bateup - mbglyco@yahoo.com