Australian television superstar Humphrey B. Bear is heading back to school to launch a new and exciting initiative to help children with developmental challenges or disabilities participate in school and better cope with the stresses of COVID.
The much-loved Logie winner who loves singing, dancing and eating honey is the new face of a series of educational videos and resources created by Monash University's AllPlay team.
This series will help educators and parents support children of all ages and abilities to regulate their emotions through movement and better settle back into school life.
In Australia, 1 in 6 children experiences developmental challenges or disabilities which can impact how they participate in school. Emotion regulation involves recognising, managing and expressing emotions in adaptive ways and allows children to learn, socialise and engage in daily activities.
AllPlay's free resources, available to teachers and parents, feature Humphrey B. Bear with children with disabilities and dancers from the Queensland Ballet, singing and dancing to music created by Corinne Gibbons, and former Hi-5 executive producer Julie Greene.
"Research shows that emotion regulation through movement and labelling is a simple but effective way of helping kids build resilience and coping skills. This is particularly important now as children are coping with the additional stresses of COVID," says Professor Nicole Rinehart, Director of Research at Monash University's Krongold Clinic and founder of the AllPlay program.
"Humphrey B. Bear has always been a leader when it comes to inclusion. He loves exploring, creating, playing, learning and giving anything a go. Humphrey was the perfect choice to be the face of music videos that can help children understand their emotions and recognise them in themselves and others," says Professor Rinehart.
AllPlay Learn was established in partnership with the Victorian Department of Education and Training to create inclusive educational environments for children and young people with developmental challenges and disabilities through practical online information, courses and resources for teachers, as well as information and resources for parents, children and the community.
AllPlay Learn takes a strengths-based approach to disability and turns this into tools and strategies that everyone can access.
"Ten years ago, we set out to change the status quo for children with disabilities. Thanks to our great partnerships and research funding partners, we have made significant progress towards our goal to make the world fit for all kids," says Professor Rinehart.
The AllPlay and Humphrey B. Bear partnership includes a music and dance collaboration of original songs and music videos for children with disabilities to be released in AllPlay and AllPlay Learn.
The series kicks off with three songs and videos: 'Angry Pixie Stomp', 'Shake My Blues Away' and 'So Calm' feature original music compositions by Corinne Gibbons, lyrics by Julie Greene, production by FIKA Entertainment, and stars the iconic Humphrey B. Bear. These resources are available to parents and educators at allplay.org.au
About Professor Nicole Rinehart:
Professor Nicole Rinehart is an international leader in neurodevelopmental disorders and practising clinical psychologist. She is the foundation Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychology and Director of Research (Krongold), in the Faculty of Education, Monash University. Nicole has been at the forefront of research efforts to improve educational, mental and physical health outcomes for children and adolescents who experience developmental challenges or complex neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and ADHD. She has held multiple National Health and Medical Research Council and National Disability Insurance Agency – ILC grants in collaboration with her colleagues at the Royal Children's Hospital, Monash Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and Howard Florey Institute.
Nicole currently serves on the Board of Directors at AMAZE and is an expert advisor to the Victorian Department of Education and Training. She has contributed to the NHMRC Clinical Practice Statement for ADHD and the revision of the Australian Therapeutic Guidelines for Developmental Disabilities.
Videos and images are available: allplay.org.au
