The Song Room: Social and emotional learning through the Arts

The Song Room (TSR) is a place-based, arts program that focuses on the explicit teaching of social and emotional skills to improve student wellbeing, learning and mental health.

On this page

  • Tier:
    • Tier 1: Positive mental health promotion
    • Tier 2: Early intervention and cohort-specific support
  • Category of intervention:
    • Social and emotional learning
    • Therapeutic programs
  • Strength of evidence: Level 3: Foundational and emerging evidence for the program
  • Geographic location: Statewide

Program description

The Song Room (TSR) uses whole-school art projects to teach social and emotional skills to support student wellbeing and learning.

TSR is led by experienced teaching artists (qualified teachers and arts, music and play therapists) over a 10-week period. The program aims to positively impact student social, emotional and cognitive development and to build the capacity of schools to be positive and supportive settings.

Sessions have a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach. Art activities can include:

  • music and dance
  • drama, visual arts and performing arts
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.

Creative and customised activities also support diverse and vulnerable students. Schools that complete the program become part of a national community and continue to receive professional learning and resources.

Intended outcomes

  • Greater self-awareness, self-management and responsible decision making
  • Greater social awareness and relationship skills
  • Increased engagement, connection and feelings of school pride and belonging
  • Improved communication skills
  • Higher confidence and motivation to learn
  • Greater creativity and expressive capacities
  • Improve knowledge and skills in the arts aligned to the Victorian Curriculum

Program details

Target audience
  • Primary school students – all
Program providerThe Song Room
Delivery mode
  • Face-to-Face
  • Online
  • Combination of face-to-face and online

Implementation considerations

  • Target population: Primary school students from Foundation to Year 6.
  • Program adaptability: The program is suitable for diverse cohorts including:
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
    • asylum seeker and refugee students
    • culturally and linguistically diverse students
    • LGBTIQA+ students
    • neurodivergent students
    • students with a disability.
  • Training requirements: The Song Room encourages the use of existing school equipment where available and appropriate. Schools will be provided with all music and art-making resources, and access to ongoing digital resources. This includes a subscription to The Song Room's digital resource, ARTS:LIVE for one year, lesson plans, videos, and activities.
  • Factors to consider: There is a consultation session pre-program for project planning and consultation with the school. There is no minimum number of participants required. The time commitment is 10 weekly full-day sessions.
  • Australian context: This program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

  • Minimum cost: $5,000+
  • Detailed cost: The full Song Room program costs $15,755 (including GST) plus travel costs.
Education

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