About the Cool Kids program

Cool Kids is a structured program that teaches children and their parents how to better manage a child’s anxiety. The program is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), involves the participation of children and parents, and focuses on teaching practical skills. Topics covered in the program include:

• Learning about anxiety
• Learning to think realistically
• Parenting an anxious child
• Facing fears using stepladders and
• Learning coping skills such as relaxation or problem solving.

The Cool Kids program was developed by Macquarie University over the past 25 years, has been translated into a number of languages, and is used in clinics, schools, and hospitals around the world. The program has undergone continual scientific evaluation and development to include the latest understanding of anxiety and its treatment. Current results indicate that most young people who complete the program show significant improvement. Following treatment, there are marked increases in school attendance, confidence, number of friends, and involvement in extracurricular activities and decreases in worry, shyness, fear, and family distress.

How is the Cool Kids program delivered?

For children, Cool Kids will involve 10 group sessions, held once per week during the school day. Groups will include up to 3 students and each session will run for approximately one hour. 

Parents will be invited to attend 2 parent information sessions together with other parents who have children completing the group in the first few weeks of the program. They will also have the opportunity to book a time to discuss their child’s progress in person or over the phone during the second half of the program. 

Between sessions, children will be asked to practice skills at home and at school.

Would my child benefit from Cool Kids?

The Cool Kids program is being offered to children who will be in Years 3 to 6 in 2025, whose main struggle is with anxiety. Cool Kids covers a broad range of fears and worries including:

• Separation fears: Kids who worry that something bad will happen when separated from mum or dad. They often refuse to separate, e.g., won’t go to school, sleep over at friends’ houses, or be left at home with a sitter.
• Social fears: Kids who are shy and who worry about what others think of them. They avoid social situations, performing, and often have difficulty making friends.
• Specific fears: Fears of particular objects or situations like dogs or water. The fear is so bad that they persistently avoid situations where they might come across that fear.
• Generalised anxiety: These kids are worriers. They worry about many different areas, including school work, competition, family, and anything new. They ask for reassurance and may feel sick, get headaches, or have trouble sleeping.

Cool Kids is not suitable for children whose main problem is low mood, aggression, hyperactivity, oppositional behaviour, or if they have ASD.

What else is involved?

Children who participate in Cool Kids will be asked to complete an online assessment. This will gather information about the concerns that you have for your child and will also include questionnaires for yourself and your child about thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. The online assessment will be used to determine if your child is likely to find Cool Kids beneficial. Additionally, after the program is complete, you will be asked to complete the same online assessment a second time so that we can track your child’s progress.

Accessing the Cool Kids program

If you would like to discuss Cool Kids or whether your child may benefit from the program, please contact Ryo Sugihara at ryo.sugihara@education.vic.gov.au.

Alternatively, you can reach out to Mr. Roland Lewis, our Assistant Principal - Wellbeing at roland.lewis@education.vic.gov.au, to discuss the program or any other supports we may be able to provide for you and your child.