Interest in and application of the curriculum programme Zippy’s Friends in Icelandic primary schools

Abstract

Zippy’s Friends is a life skills curriculum for 5–7 year old children that aims to improve young children’s coping skills and their ability to handle life’s adversities. The programme has been taught in Icelandic kindergartens and primary schools since 2007. In the spring of 2012, an anonymous Internet survey was sent to primary school administrators to assess the current status and utilization of the programme in Iceland. Almost all respondents had heard of Zippy’s Friends, and the majority reported that teachers at their school had received training to teach it. Most of those who had experience in teaching Zippy’s Friends reported satisfaction with the programme and believed it had had positive effects on school life and activities. Among the positive effects reported by teachers were that the children were better able to express their feelings and that communications between children had improved, with children reportedly showing increased empathy and goodwill. Respondents also made a few suggestions on how the programme could be improved. These results show that Zippy’s Friends is now well established within the Icelandic school system, and those who have taught the programme report valuable benefits for children. It is important to encourage teachers in kindergartens and the younger grades to familiarize themselves with the programme and consider offering it as part of the life skills and mental health education currently available to younger children in school.