Small Steps is a program that aims to raise awareness and improve the recognition of anxiety disorders in children. We do this by offering anxiety awareness seminars for primary school staff (teachers, principals, administrative staff) and parents.
A separate presentation is run each for parents or for teachers.
Topics covered during the seminar:
- signs and symptoms of anxiety
- the different types of anxiety disorders and how they present
- evidence based treatments for anxiety disorders
- referral and treatment options
A Small Steps seminar will usually run for about an hour and can be held at your local school. Seminars can be conducted before, during or after school hours. Seminars for teachers are usually held during staff meetings or on professional development days.
For bookings on behalf of a school (for parents or teachers), contact Julie, the Small Steps Coordinator, at Julie.Leitch@wayahead.org.au or (02) 9339 6003.
Small Steps webinars
Sign up to our eNews to hear about the next available public Small Steps webinar.
If you are enquiring for a school you can contact julie.leitch@wayahead.org.au to arrange a Small Steps webinar for your school or parent group
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A collaboration between Macquarie University’s Centre for Emotional Health and School of Education, based on feedback from over 350 young people, parents and teachers.
Often, as a parent, it is hard to judge whether your child is just a bit of a “worrier” or whether there is something else going on. You can feel foolish and can sometimes be dismissed if you believe it is more than just the usual childhood worries. Julie’s talk with small steps was a great introduction as to what anxiety is, what it can look like in a child (at different age stages) and when you should seek help. I really related to the personal anecdotes and the helpful and respectful responses to questions. No question was dismissed or went unanswered. It was a great forum in which to learn more and a great platform to assist in seeking more help.
Participant in a Small Steps seminar for teachers
Resources for parents and teachers
Fee Structure (for in-person sessions)
1 session is $100 (a parents or a teacher session)
Each additional session is $50 if held on the same day.
(parents and/or a teacher session/s)
The fees contribute to the costs of the program such as travel, presentation, and publication costs. Participants will receive: A trained presenter, a presentation booklet and useful handouts.
Get in touch to enquire about our webinars online
For more information
or email at: julie.leitch@wayahead.org.au
This video answers some of the big questions about anxiety in children by a panel including Professor Ron Rapee, a parent of a child with anxiety, a teacher and a person with a lived experience of childhood anxiety.
Watch more videos like this HERE.
We were fortunate enough to have Julie present the Small Steps Anxiety Workshop at our school late last year. Julie is an empathetic and approachable presenter who had her own life experiences to draw on. Her calm matter of fact approach created an environment which made the parents present comfortable enough to ask questions. The greatest message was that early intervention and treatment gave hope for those students suffering from anxiety. I'm planning to have Julie present to our staff as I now realise that awareness and early recognition of anxiety are the key to positive outcomes. Thanks so much for your time and energy, Julie!"
Katie Thornton Family Educator, St Agnes' Catholic Primary School Matraville NSW 2036