Kōtuku creative - Blog

Fully Funded Books For Our Friends in Kaikoura and Hurunui Districts!!

4/3/2017

We're so pleased to share the news that thanks to the generosity of The Rātā Foundation we are able to offer all of our titles to schools and Early Childhood Centres in Kaikoura and Hurunui at no cost to schools or families. We're in the process of contacting schools and ECEs to offer the books and collect numbers of copies required so we can get the books up to them this term. Get in touch if you have any questions, or ask your school.

All the titles have been peer-reviewed and Massey University have been researching the efficacy of the books since they were first released in 2015, and will continue to do so, with the permission of schools and families in Kaikoura and Hurunui, they will continue their research.

"Both books are terrific resources for helping young children and families to better understand anxiety and how to deal with it. They are age-appropriate, engaging, well written, and well-illustrated. The exercises at the end of each book provide great guidelines for further exploring anxiety, its effect on us, and how to manage it more effectively. The exercises are clearly based on cognitive behaviour therapy, which if done well, has been shown to reduce anxiety. I would whole-heartedly suggest that Christchurch schools and parents make use of these great resources."
- Former Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills

"This is unmistakably a New Zealand/Aotearoa story – the use of Māori and the descriptions of what Ari notices in his rural township are so familiar. At no stage did I consider the themes in the book as having to relate to the Christchurch earthquakes. The strategies embedded in the story are useful for any young person whether they worry a lot or a little.
My daughter gave Rising Tide a solid eight out of 10. She told me it was “relatable” and that, “If I have secrets that feel really big and kinda out of control, I’d talk to someone… [like] you, nan or maybe dad.” Perfect. I couldn’t ask for anything more."
- Anna Mowat, Family Advisor at All Right?

"I hope folks are enjoying the Worry Bug and continuing to use it. I know it's easy to get busy and move onto the next thing. As a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist I am really impressed by the care and planning that has gone into the Worry Bug."
- John Gregson (Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist)

"Our children have loved the books and we have enjoyed reading and sharing and mostly talking about things! I am sorry we do not have anything to share or show but just wanted to email to say what a great idea this was and how valuable it has been for all of our families, in lots of different ways."
- Belinda-Pebbles Preschools

Launching! Rising Tide and He Tai Pari online (but wait, there's more, a LOT more!)

4/3/2017

31/1/20170 Comments

We're so excited to launch the online version of Rising Tide and He Tai Pari! Visit our site to read the book in both english or Te reo, or choose to listen to them being read by Sampson Karst of Manu Media.
Check out the online and audio version of Rising Tide/He Tai Pari here
Alongside the 'read to me', or 'I'll read it' options in english and Te reo you'll find:
-Peer reviewed notes and lesson plans for teacher
-A vlog from registered psychologist and co-author Julie Burgess-Manning suggesting best use of the resource from anecdotal feedback and research conducted by Massey University
-Peer reviewed notes and exercises for families
-Peer reviewed notes and exercises for therapists
-A vlog from teachers at Heathcote Valley School demonstrating how they used Rising Tide in a collaborative teaching environment
-Vlogs from a Clinical Psychologist and Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist discussing magical thinking, catastrophising and other topics from the resource
-Information about the research being conducted by Massey University and how you could be a part of it

The development of this online resource was made possible by funding from New Zealand Red Cross.
Written by Sarina Dickson and Julie Burgess-Manning. Illustration by Jenny Cooper. Translation by Kaharau Keogh.

Support resources for schools using Rising Tide

4/3/2017

13/2/20170 Comments

Dear SENCos, teachers, support staff and homeschooling parents

The learning activities in Rising Tide have been designed for students in years 5 to 8. Children in this age group are moving towards independence and are continuing to develop skills in making decisions as they become more independent. They are beginning to look to peers and media for information and advice. They are also developing an increased capability for social conscience and for abstract thought, including understanding complex issues such as poverty, war and natural disasters.

The suggested activities are designed to be worked through from beginning to end, or for you to adapt, add or omit activities to fit the needs, abilities and year level of your class. The activities help to develop a supportive classroom culture and can be used in the last 20–30 minutes of each day, or in larger blocks. It may be that you have a group of students who need extra support prior to attempting these activities. For this group we recommend using or adapting the activities in Wishes and Worries (Sarina Dickson, 2014).

We have used the concept of Home and School Scaffolding at the heart of this resource. Home and School Scaffolding utilises the trusted attachment relationships children have within their homes and schools to support them to develop their emotional intelligence. The activities for classrooms and homes have been informed by evidence-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Narrative Therapy, and by the objectives of the New Zealand Curriculum. For more information about the evidence-based research behind the resource please see our website.

On our website you can find further support for your work with your students:
Suggested newsletter text to inform parents about the resource
A video of Heathcote Valley School sharing their use of the resource in a collaborative teaching environment
A video of a clinical psychologist and Child psychiatrist discussing some of the deeper themes of the resource
Suggestions from psychologist and resource co-creator Julie Burgess-Manning about best use
Blackline master for 'Thoughts become Behaviour' activity
Recommendations from Massey University based on their research of The Worry Bug project
Downloadable lesson plans for Rising Tide
Rising Tide to read online with full audio in english and Te reo
An invitation for your school to join in Massey University's research

We welcome your feedback

Warm regards
Sarina Dickson and Julie Burgess-Manning

NZ Psychological Society Annual Conference 2016

9/30/2016

The Worry Bug Project for Christchurch Children:
The child at the Centre of Recovery.

This September saw Sarina and I presenting at the annual conference of the NZ Psychological Society. We were part of the Professional Practice and Applied Research cluster symposium examining the professional issues that we have grappled with over the time of managing the Worry Bug Project.

We were focusing in on the idea of bringing our personal worlds into professional practice. As a psychologist, this has been a challenge over the years - how do I separate these two worlds, and should they even be separated? Many psychologists have been taught to clearly separate these two worlds, but my time living and working in Thames, Coromandel, put an end to that possibility. In such a small community turning down a family as a client because I might know them through my child or because they run the only bookshop, means that family might not be able to access specific services. I became used to interacting with client families whilst picking up my child from school, buying groceries or when going to the library. That meant that clients also saw my personal life happening round me - from me being frustrated with my children, to what I chose to read or have for dinner.

When Sarina and I began the Worry bug Project, we intentionally merged these two worlds. The personal experience that Sarina had had with being in the centre of the big quakes, and my experience of coming to a broken city with an intent to help professionally, we thought might work quite well together. Also, we were at the mercy of having many children to manage whilst we worked, and not much childcare. That meant that we often took our children to meetings, with funders, with PR people, with distributors, book designers and accountants. Often we got our boobs out at these meetings, to breastfeed irritable babies who would rather have been at home. Breastfeeding in front of people does tend to remove barriers to building relationships (though sometimes it has the opposite affect!) and we have made many friends over the course of the project because of this. We often reflect on the many people that we have worked with and how almost every single one of them has recounted a story to us of a child or friend or family member who is troubled with anxiety issues. Many of them have discounted their bills for this connection, and we are grateful for that.

The other issue we were discussing at conference is that of collaboration between disciplines. So often collaborations between teachers and psychologists are fraught with problems because we are wed to our own knowledges. Sarina and I thought a lot about what had helped us to work together as professionals from different disciplines and we think it comes down to two things - being authentic in our relationship with each other (bringing in the personal), and being able to listen past what we individually think about something. Just as when my children try to tell me about something they have just learned; if I say something like “yes, yes, I know all about that, no, you’ve got that wrong, it’s like this” then I shut down the possibility of learning something for myself about their perspective (as well as irritating them immensely). So, when I work with another discipline I have to put aside my own knowledge and try to hear their knowledge, and then we have to merge it somehow for the benefit of the child. By looking at the child’s needs, instead of our own knowledge or ego, I think that we can be clearly focused on what they need, rather than what we need in terms of recognition as a professional, or a parent. Hence, our title - the child at the centre of recovery.

Anyway, we were a bit nervous presenting - I was aiming at a Ted-style presentation, and trying to incorporate some humour, but our efforts at perfection were threatened by exactly the things we were talking about - the personal impacting on the professional. The week we left for conference Sarina had a tummy bug, and I had a small child with threatening pneumonia. Both of us thought the other wouldn’t make it and were preparing for presenting alone. As it turned out, we did make it, even if Sarina got locked in the toilet and I got a hair in my muffin! The day was topped off by Jetstar delaying our flights so we could explore wellington airport a bit more, and a bit more.

Overall we were pleased to have been included in the presentation line up for the conference and would love to repeat it next year especially as it will happen in our stamping ground of Christchurch.

Written by Julie Burgess-Manning. Get in touch julie@kotukucreative.co.nz

International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)

9/19/2016

Storylines NZ were the lucky hosts of this year's IBBY congress in Auckland, New Zealand. Book lovers and experts attended from all over the world. The Worry Bug Project has been researched during 2015 and 2016 by Dr Benita Stiles-Smith of Massey University and she presented a poster of the findings of her work.

Our book design company, Smartwork Creative, was also represented by it's Director Kim Dovey. You can read Kim's transcript about the future of book design here.

We were heartened by the feedback from Dr Stiles-Smith regarding the positive feedback from delegates in response to our books and project and look forward to discussing them further with the many agencies and companies that requested copies of the books and shared their own narratives with Dr Stiles-Smith.

Speaking about Worry in Under 5s at the Under 5's Expo

6/8/2016

We were so pleased to be invited to run workshops at the recent Refugee and Migrant Services Under 5's and Parent Expo. We ran 4 45 minute workshops to parents from many different ethnicities. It was a wonderful experience and one that we learnt so much from. In each workshop there were several interpreters supporting the participants, and us. We spoke about anxiety and behaviour in under 5s and shared some simply tips, techniques and ideas for supporting little ones.

Everything is Going to be Alright at Canterbury Shorts

3/24/2016

We're so, so excited that we'll get to see our 5 minute film 'Everything is Going to be Alright' is going to be played on the big screen at an exciting outdoor theatre venue in Central Christchurch!!

This autumn bring a blanket, chair or cushion and a friend for the first ever Canterbury Shorts — bringing the best and most upbeat of Canterbury filmmaking to an outdoor cinema in Christchurch. This showcase by emerging and established filmmakers is spirited, uplifting, unexpected and engaging. While the films do turn serious, each will leave you smiling. So prepare to get happy.

Pre-show entertainment begins at 7pm with live music, before the kick-off of short films at 7.30pm.

We’ll provide the food trucks (including the Diversity Food Market) and the free popcorn. So come hungry!

Entry is free but koha will be gratefully accepted and passed on to CHCH SOUP to support individuals with grassroots projects that will benefit our beautiful Christchurch. Donate on the nite or through Eventbrite (link above).

See you there!

RAIN DATE: Sunday, 3 April 2016

Selected films include:

THE ROAD HOME
15 minutes – Indie – 2016
An eighteen-year-old American travels to New Zealand to reconnect with his Kiwi roots and discovers the father he does not remember.
Director: Mikaela Rüegg

LETTER FOR HOPE
18 minutes – Drama – 2013
A pragmatic and awkward old man discovers wisdom and compassion he didn’t know he had and his extraordinary actions bring peace and new purpose to a devastated young woman and himself.
Director: Raquel Roderick

TITINIUM MAN
9 minutes – Documentary – 2015
After an unexpected brain tumour threatened to cut artist Tony Cribb’s (Tim Man) life short, his positive attitude defined his recovery and inspired those around him.
Director: Hamish Manning

TRADING STORIES WITH THE PRINTERS
4 minutes – Vignette – 2015
In the age of digital, a handmade impression is a rarity. Lou and Bud devote their lives to the art and science of traditional printing techniques and technologies.
Director: Simon Waterhouse

THESE WATERS (Special edit)
3 minutes – Vignette – 2015
Exploring one man’s journey to bring wellbeing to young people in Sumner through his passion for surfing and his love of the community.
Director: Jono Smit

Everything Is Going to Be Alright
5 minutes - Vignette - 2016
Children, parents and teachers share how they support good mental health in their families and classes, and the lessons they've taken about managing anxiety through the the last 5 years in Canterbury.
Director: Simon Waterhouse with Kōtuku Creative

With support from Gap Filler.

Blooming Post Quakes

2/6/2016

February 22nd 2016 marks five years since the 6.3 magnitude Earthquake that so dramatically and instantly changed the lives of Cantabrians. Each year on February 22 people of all ages are invited by The River of Flowers to visit selected sites along the Avon river to place flowers in the river. Its a beautiful time of community and individual reflection.

Today River of Flowers, Poetica, Flourish and The Canterbury Museum, under the vision of Michelle Whitaker, opened the Bloom Interactive Exhibition to mark the anniversary but to also celebrate all the writing that has come from the experiences of the Earthquakes. The poems by Canterbury children displayed are remarkably beautiful, the importance of the author's mothers are a central theme is very moving.

You are invited to visit the exhibition, view some samples of the writing, write some poetry and to make a paper flower to add to the river in the museum, as well as to attend the sites along the Avon on February 22nd. The Arts in all forms have been a hugely healing part of Christchurch's recovery.

The beautiful water colours by award winning illustrator Jenny Cooper from Maia and the Worry Bug and Wishes and Worries are displayed as part of Bloom. Julie Burgess-Manning and I are so honoured to be part of this event and we will be attending a reading session on February 21st. We'd love to have you in the audience.

I hope you can make some time to come into the museum during February and add you poems, flowers and hopes for the future to the interactive exhibition. There is a lot more than is shown in the pictures above but we wanted to leave some surprises.

All the books featured in the exhibition are available for sale in The Museum Gift shop.

Making The Worry Bug Project Short Film-Resiliency, mental health and anxiety.

1/18/2016

Today we started shooting the interviews of children, parents and teachers for our short film. The were asked about how they protect their own mental health and the mental health of their family members and classes. They also shared with us their experiences of anxiety, stress and worry and the ways in which they parent and teach differently since the Canterbury Earthquake sequence.

We shot the film in iconic Christchurch spaces, that are also open to the public. First up we were in Spectrum and if you're visiting Christchurch these holidays we strongly recommend you pay them a visit. In the afternoon we changed scene completely and shot at The Cardboard Cathedral. While seemingly polar opposites both of these places share the common theme of resiliency. Both the arts and places of worship have been pillars of recovery for post earthquake Christchurch. Over this week we'll also be visiting New Regent St, Cathedral Square, The Art Gallery and Rapaki. Follow us on our Facebook page to view the completed work in February.

What does 2016 have in store for Kōtuku Creative and The Worry Bug Project?

12/31/2015

Lots! The New_ Zealand Red Cross have generously offered us funding for the next year to extend the scope of The Worry Bug Project. The funding will support Kōtuku Creative to extend the current work, but also to produce two exciting new resources.

Maia and the Worry Bug and Wishes and Worries will be offered to all four year olds, their families and their Early Childhood Education teachers. We're very excited to share that the funding will also mean that Maia and the Worry Bug will be translated and available in Te Reo Māori.

Early Education Centres, including Playcentre, Kindergartens, In home care organisations etc will be contacted over the next few weeks, by Kirsty, to get numbers and contact people. The teaching notes at the back of Wishes and Worries, and He kanehe, he manatunatu will be amended for use with Te Whariki (the New Zealand ECE curriculum)

We will also be producing a short film documenting the ways Canterbury children, their teacher and their families have developed and learnt to build their own resilience and support their own and other's mental health over the last 5 years. The film will be shot in and around Christchurch by Kōtuku Creative and Resonate. While the voices will be Cantabrians we believe that the practical advice and experience the participants share will be of value universally. This short film will be released at the beginning of February 2016 and will be available to all mental health agencies, schools, families and everyone via social media, our website and YouTube for free use. We will be inviting people to participate in this over the next few weeks via our Facebook page.

In February, to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Feb 22, 2011 earthquake the Canterbury Museum is hosting an exhibition of art and writing produced about, and related to, the earthquakes. We were honoured to be included and Jenny Cooper's beautiful original water colour illustrations which are reproduced in the books will be exhibited. the exhibition opens on January 31 2016. The public is invited to attend throughout February. This wouldn't have been possible without the work of The River of Flowers, which again has significant events happening on February 22nd. As part of the exhibition children are invited to craft their own flowers to add to the model river of flowers in the museum, and of course to attend the events with their families on February 22.

That brings us to the research project that Benita Stiles-Smith and Massey University are completing on the efficacy of The Worry Bug Project. This is ongoing and Benita and her team will be inviting participants who have used the resources to meet with her for focus groups to gather further data about the project in the new year.

And last but by no means least we are thrilled to announce a new resource is on the boil, also funded by New Zealand Red Cross. We were contacted by many teachers and parents when the first books came out asking us for something for the children that are 8-12 years old. The NZRC agreed that this was worthwhile work and have funded the writing, production and free distribution of a book for this age group. The book will be targeted at children, their teachers and families in Year 5-8 in Canterbury. It will be available in Te Reo Māori and will have an online version/audio book. We expect this to be available in Term 4 2016.

Another wonderfully busy year for us at Kōtuku Creative and we're very grateful for all the support we have received so far. We're excited about all the year will bring for us. Please be in touch with any queries or suggestions theworrybug@kotukucreative.co.nz