The New SUPER!! Program for Social and Emotional Learning

SUPER!! is used in 52 schools to promote social and emotional learning. It is based on theories and experiences in health promotion work and provides a solid methodology and structure.

INTRODUCTION
For at least 15 years, MOT Norway, who has programs for secondary school and high schools, has received requests from schools to develop a program for primary schools. The development of a separate program for social and emotional learning aimed at grades 1.-4. in primary school started in 2020. The program was named SUPER!! and the pupils have a SUPER!! session every week for the first four years of primary school.
AIM
The aim is to contribute to the development of safe and positive classroom environments where everyone is included, and to safeguard children's natural tendency to like themselves. The children work together to become a "SUPER class", where everyone is equally important. Themes such as equality, tolerance, belonging, diversity, self-regulation and self-assertion are central.
METHOD
"SUPER!!" is linked to the values in the Core Curriculum for primary school overall section, the UN's sustainability goals and recent school research. Pupils train their social and emotional competence through play, reflection, films, wonder and stories. They explore their own and other people's feelings and reaction patterns, practice self-regulation and they learn about the power of their brain.
Through wonder and creative expression, they should experience that everyone is equally important and experience a safe everyday school life. To create a good environment requires cooperation and understanding; we learn as we go, and it's easier if we go together.
"SUPER!!" is built up with a structure for recognition and predictability based on the 7 colors of the rainbow. This is a basic structure and is adapted to each stage and target group with new themes, exercises, films, games, stories and reflection.
RESULTS
Since the start in autumn 2021, 52 schools in Norway are now using the program and several more will start in the fall of 2024. These schools have annual status meetings with the program developers in MOT Norway and in this parallel session you will hear educational, thought-provoking, and moving practical experiences from the schools. Those who work with SUPER!! in the schools experience again and again that the children are eager to learn and curious, and that through knowledge and experience they use tools that can promote mental health. As one teacher summed it up: “One thing I have learned from SUPER!! is that I have underestimated the children".
DISCUSSION
So far SUPER!! has proven to be a powerful program for inclusion and learning. All the schools that have started want to continue using the program and have annual courses for their staff groups, as well as sending new employees on courses each year to maintain the investment in the area.