Get GRIT Program

A recent news article has sparked important conversations about the potential long-term impact of excessive screen use on children's developing brains. While the research is nuanced and still evolving, experts are raising concerns about the effects of screen overuse on attention, memory, learning, social skills, and overall cognitive development.

As parents and educators, it is a timely reminder of the importance of creating opportunities for children to engage in face-to-face interactions, physical activity, creative play, reading, and real-world experiences. The habits children develop today can have a significant impact on their wellbeing and development in the years ahead.

What are your thoughts on children's screen use in today's world?

This is a truly shocking piece in Australian News Corp newspapers last week, with important input by my co-author Dr Danielle Einstein. It deserved the front page. It suggests that the children of this generation might be more at risk of early onset dementia than their parents, because of children's screen overuse. This is not to mention the other issues emerging from this over-reliance on screens, such as a lack of focus, memory and social skills. (Read the article, which is a bit more nuanced than the headline.)
We know the extent of the problem. I rarely see a child of under 10, or even 5, years old who does not stare at a screen as they eat in a restaurant with their parents. How many toddlers in prams are transfixed by their parents' phone rather than the sights around them?
How will these children interact in the play ground, sit in class and listen, or take joy in the world, if we have cut out so much of the world, so they can watch Peppa Pig?
How are children going to learn self-regulation, if the moment they behave badly, parents reward them by handing them a phone or tablet?
This problem is not going to be ameliorated by the social media delay, and we cannot rely on that important start as the one measure that will save this generation.

So what to do?
PARENTS:
There are excellent ideas in "Raising Anxiety" (coauthored with Danielle) that give active ways parents can manage screen use. (One idea - no personal device use by children under 7 years old - we explain why in the book).
We also discuss explicit ways parents can introduce each type of screen for their child, to ensure that it is well managed and not impacting on their wellbeing or family harmony, and strategies for parents whose child's screen use is out of control. (Also, ways to help children face daily challenges).
"Raising Anxiety" is available in print at all online book sites. Also on Kindle.

SCHOOLS:
Educate your parents on strategies to managing screen use (and any other behavioural challenges which screen use is being used to contain). I recently did a school session on this topic for parents of younger primary-age children and any parent who had a child enrolled in the school I was speaking at (so parents of 1, 2, 3 and 4 year olds as well as younger primary). This is one way of making sure parents are on the right track to provide a childhood that is truly developing confidence and capability in their child (particularly as I delivered some other critical preventative messages). It's a great way for schools to educate parents of younger years, even at the pre-entry stage.
Happy to do more of these (And could be on webinar too). Schools can contact me for details [email protected].

If we don't fight back against this scourge, then I truly don't know what will happen to the potential of this current, and future, generations. We need to take deliberate steps now to contain it.

It was such a pleasure meeting the wonderful staff at St Luke’s Anglican School in Bundaberg yesterday.

I was very excited to introduce the Get GRIT Program to their team and support their continued commitment to student wellbeing, resilience, emotional intelligence, and positive relationships.

Thank you for your warmth, engagement, and passion for helping young people thrive. I look forward to continuing to work with you to support and strengthen student wellbeing.

I also look forward to returning to Turtle Sands with my family next season to hopefully witness the incredible turtle hatchlings making their way to the ocean 🐢

At the heart of wellbeing is connection ❤️

Research consistently shows that positive relationships are one of the strongest protective factors for mental health, resilience, happiness, and life satisfaction. Relationships help children feel safe, seen, valued, and supported as they learn to navigate the world around them.

At Get GRIT, we believe social and emotional learning provides children with the skills to build healthy, meaningful relationships throughout life.

Because in the end, relationships are not just part of life… they are the most important part of life 💛

Read more here - https://www.getgritprogram.com/blog/relationships

Why Relationships Matter More Than Anything Else At the end of the day, it is not achievements, possessions, marks, trophies, or status that shape the quality of our lives most deeply — it is our relationships.

Helping Kids Navigate Friendship Ups and Downs

In our latest blog, we explore what is really happening beneath friendship “fallouts” and how parents can best support children through these moments with confidence and resilience.

Friendship challenges are a normal part of childhood, but they can often feel significant in the moment. Rather than stepping in to fix every situation, parents have an opportunity to guide children as they learn how to work through these experiences themselves.

These moments are important opportunities for building key social and emotional skills, including emotional awareness, perspective-taking, communication, and relationship repair.

Read the full blog here

Helping Kids Navigate Friendship Ups and Downs Friendship challenges are a normal part of childhood, but they can often feel bigger than they really are. What looks like a “fallout” is usually children trying to navigate strong feelings and work through a situation as best they can, while their social and emotional skills are still developin...

🌟 Get GRIT Program – Co-Curricular Sessions with Kylie from Kind Kids Therapy 🌟

Kylie from Kind Kids Therapy has opened bookings for the Get GRIT Program for Term 2 as a co-curricular wellbeing opportunity for students. 💛🧠

Through engaging, evidence-informed sessions, students develop resilience, emotional intelligence, and positive thinking strategies that help them thrive both in and out of the classroom.

These small group sessions provide a safe space for children to grow in confidence, manage challenges, and strengthen their wellbeing skills.

✨ Limited places available – contact Kylie to find out more or secure a spot for Term 2.

Get GRIT Program - Brisbane North 📍 Venue: 23 Bowman Street, Hendra (OLHC School) 🗓 Dates: Sunday 17th May, 24th May, 31st May, 7th June 9 AM -11 AM (4 sessions) 💰 Cost: $625

🌱 This term, schools working with the Get GRIT Program are teaching the Resilient Thinking Unit, where students are developing the skills to manage setbacks, reframe unhelpful thinking, and strengthen their emotional resilience in practical, meaningful ways.

In the Get GRIT Program, the “R” stands for Resilient Thinking—a core skill that helps students recognise their internal dialogue, identify unhelpful “stop thoughts”, and intentionally shift towards more helpful “go thoughts”. This awareness supports stronger self-regulation, persistence, and positive decision-making when challenges arise. 🧠💪

It has been powerful to see students growing in confidence, learning to pause, reflect, and bounce back with greater resilience in both their learning and everyday experiences.

To learn more about what students are exploring this term, read the blog -

How the Get GRIT Program Helps Students Build Emotional Resilience The Resilient Thinking Unit within the Get GRIT Program develops students’ capacity to persevere through setbacks, manage frustration, and respond to challenges with greater optimism, flexibility, and emotional strength.

📱 Reminder for Parents – Download the Get GRIT Program Parent Engagement App 💛🌱

The Parent Engagement App, available on the App Store and Google Play, is designed to strengthen the connection between home 🏡 and school 🏫.

Each week, parents are invited to listen to a short 2-minute podcast 🎧 that supports what students are learning in the Get GRIT Program. This simple routine helps reinforce key concepts and builds a shared language between home and school.

By engaging with the podcast, families can deepen their understanding of what their child is learning and create meaningful conversations 💬 at home.

This connection not only supports learning, but also contributes to strengthening children’s mental health and wellbeing 💛.

We encourage all families to download the app and make the most of this simple way to stay connected and support your child’s learning journey 🌱✨

Term 2 in Get GRIT 🧠🌱

This term in the Get GRIT Program, students are excited to begin the Resilient Thinking Unit.

This unit sits at the heart of developing emotionally strong, adaptable learners. It teaches students the skills to persevere in the face of setbacks, challenges, and everyday frustrations—helping them become more resilient, optimistic, and able to approach difficulties with a flexible and positive mindset.

At its core, Resilient Thinking supports students to develop emotional resilience—the ability to cope mentally and emotionally with both major life stressors and the everyday ups and downs of life.

A key focus of this unit is helping children become aware of their internal dialogue—the thoughts they have about themselves, others, and situations. When students learn to notice and understand their thinking patterns, they are far better equipped to manage disappointment, regulate emotions, and respond to challenges in healthy and constructive ways.

💡 What students will learn

Throughout the Resilient Thinking Unit, students are explicitly taught how to:

* Identify and understand their thoughts and thinking patterns.
* Recognise unhelpful “stop thoughts” and helpful “go thoughts.”
* Identify common thinking traps.
* Catch, check, challenge, and change unhelpful thoughts.
* Develop resilient and optimistic thinking habits.
* Persevere through frustration and setbacks.
* Bounce back after adversity.

🌈 What is Resilient Thinking?

In the Get GRIT Program, Resilient Thinking is defined as:

A way of thinking that reduces stress, anxiety, and negativity. A resilient thinker plans, persists, takes healthy risks, and makes better decisions. They develop the mental strength to cope with adversity, setbacks, and frustrations, while building optimism and grit.

Children who develop resilient thinking skills become more:
🌱 curious
🌱 adaptable
🌱 confident
🌱 brave
🌱 and willing to extend themselves into the world

🧠 The science behind it

Resilient Thinking is grounded in evidence-based strategies from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Students learn that thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are all connected—and that the way we interpret situations can significantly influence how we feel and respond.

They also begin to understand that different people can experience the same situation in different ways, strengthening empathy and perspective-taking.

💛 Why it matters

Resilient thinking is not just a classroom skill—it is a lifelong skill.

It helps young people manage stress, reduce anxiety, and develop a more positive outlook on life. Most importantly, it equips them with the tools to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with strength and confidence.

In fact, developing resilient thinking may be one of the most important skills we can teach young people as they grow, learn, and face an ever-changing world.

Rethinking “Smart”: How Emotional Skills Shape Success.

In our latest blog, we explore why EQ matters and how the Get GRIT Program develops emotional intelligence, equipping children with the life skills they need to thrive.

Schools have a powerful opportunity—and responsibility—to go beyond academics. They are uniquely positioned to equip children with the emotional and social skills they need for life. For some children, these may be lessons they would not otherwise receive.

Read the full blog here: https://www.getgritprogram.com/blog/emotional_intelligence