This term, all children in the Early Learning Centre (ELC) are engaging in the You Can Do It! (YCDI) Education Program—a well-regarded initiative that supports the development of vital social and emotional skills. Grounded in the latest research from the fields of positive psychology and parenting education, YCDI focuses on five key areas: confidence, persistence, organisation, getting along and emotional resilience. These are skills for lifelong learning, success and wellbeing.
Children are exploring these concepts in weekly small group sessions led by their teacher. Through puppets, songs, stories and role plays, they are encouraged to reflect, discuss and deepen their understanding of each focus area. Importantly, the principles of YCDI are not limited to structured sessions—they are meaningfully embedded into everyday routines, conversations and activities throughout the year.
The program plays a central role in fostering secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships. With a strong emphasis on social and emotional development, YCDI helps children feel valued and supported as they learn to recognise, understand and respond to their own feelings and the feelings of others.
This week, children were introduced to Connie Confidence, a character who helps promote the idea of giving things a go—even when it feels challenging. As part of this learning, children have been practising identifying their name card and writing their name on a vertical surface, with Connie cheering them on along the way.
Some helpful messages to explore with your child at home include:
- I am likeable and good at doing many things.
- It’s okay for me to make mistakes when trying something new.
- It’s good for me to try new activities by myself and it is okay to ask for help if I need it.
For more information about Connie Confidence and how you can support this learning at home, please refer to the Confidence Information Sheet.