Free to Be Online Course

Designed for Grades K-2 & 3-6

Bring anti-bullying curriculum to your school. In this Bullying Prevention digital course, help students learn about bullying, how to have empathy for others, and how to be part of the solution in creating a peaceful school environment.

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There’s a better way.

Bullying, teasing and other hurtful behaviors have been challenging students in schools and on playgrounds across the country. Since 2001, Soul Shoppe has taught over 600,000 students bully prevention skills and communication tools, cultivating their ability to feel and exhibit empathy towards others. 

  • 40% of children grades 4-12 report being bullied by other students at school at least once during the past month
  • Recent research reports empathy is needed for understanding emotions and for increasing ones ability to regulate their own emotions 
  • Inc. Magazine states that empathy is the most important skill needed for success 

 

Soul Shoppe’s Free to Be course is designed to help kids better understand bullying and how they can take responsibility for a more peaceful school community. We use mindfulness and embodiment techniques, social engagement exercises, art, and restorative practices to teach kids how to recognize, manage, and express their feelings and needs in healthy ways.

 

In this on-demand course, students will learn to define bullying and where it starts. They will practice strategies to keep themselves from bullying and understand why people might have bullying behaviors. They will learn how to respond with empathy and compassion when bullying occurs and to solve conflicts in a way that enhances a positive school culture.

friendship group activities

Free to Be contains

3 modules of two lessons each (6 lessons total)

Each lesson is approximately 30-35 minutes

Free to Be is a digital course that can also be accompanied by virtual livestream or in-person lessons for more reach

Free to Be is a digital course that can also be accompanied by virtual livestream or in-person lessons for more impact and reach. For the 2023-24 year, schools that choose in-person or virtual programs with Respect Differences will have lessons centered on the experience of friendship: how friendship shows up in our differences and how to navigate our friendship topics such as isolation and exclusion.

This three-part course supplies concepts and skills that will turn your campus into a
bully-free zone. Interactive videos, writing prompts, stories and other fun activities help students
to resolve conflicts with empathy and compassion.

Part 1: Going Beyond Bullying

Understand bullying: what it is, what it isn’t, & where is starts

Practice 5 tried & true strategies to stop yourself from bullying

Build a foundation of empathy and acceptance

Part 2: Bully-Free School

Get F.R.E.E.: Learn four tools to effectively respond to bullying

Gain strategies to solve conflicts

Envision the practices that create the school culture you really want

Part 3: Be An Ally

Learn exactly what allies say & do

Practice standing up with and for others

Develop care and empathy for others and the community

All of our digital courses teach Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies that align with guidelines set by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). Students gain skills that help them become more emotionally resilient, empathetic, and ready to learn. With our additional special emphasis on equity, belonging, and restorative justice, students acquire a deep sense of connection and empowerment.

Reach out to us at support@soulshoppe.org to learn more about the course and on site lessons or schedule a call.

[1] Bradshaw, C.P., Sawyer, A.L., & O’Brennan, L.M. (2007). Bullying and peer victimization at school: Perceptual differences between students and school staff. School Psychology Review, 36(3), 361-382.

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3021497/

[3]https://www.inc.com/yoram-solomon/10-reasons-empathy-is-most-important-business-skill-you-will-ever-need.html