INSIDE OUT 4 KIDS (IO4K) is an early intervention well-being program, building the emotional well-being of kids. These free programs are an initiative of Launceston City Mission and are conducted in schools to proactively meet the needs of children struggling with worry, grief and the big emotions involved with change and everyday living. 

We are passionate about building the emotional well-being of kids.

Inside Out 4 Kids has been facilitating our flagship program ‘Change, Grief and Loss’ since 2017 after more than a decade of providing grief support to children in our community. It was at this point that City Mission customised a program for Tasmanian school students to support them in moving towards healing when working through significant change like a family breakdown, or the death of someone close to them. Since 2017, Inside Out 4 Kids has added three more programs to support children in developing emotional literacy and managing patterns of worry.

All IO4K programs are delivered by trained facilitators in safe, confidential, and supportive environments. Our facilitators are also trained in the Bringing Up Great Kids (BUGK) and SibWorks programs. From facilitating programs for kids in local schools, to training support staff to facilitate in their own schools, to providing parent information sessions or webinars – everything we do is in the hope of strengthening how our community understands emotions and supports children.

Inside Out 4 Kids Programs

Emotional Literacy - Early Childhood

This is offered to whole classes in early childhood (kinder/prep to Grade 2). Run over 5 weeks, experienced facilitators work with class groups, to enhance children’s understanding of emotions and physiological responses, building foundations of emotional awareness of self and others, helping with self-expression, language and regulation.

Emotional Literacy - Primary

This is a five-session whole class program for Grades 3-5 to help recognise the role of different emotions, learn how the brain and body are connected, and explore safely managing emotional energy and the stress response.

Change, Grief and Loss

This is a small group education program for 7-12 year old children who may be experiencing significant change, loss or grief. The program takes place over seven weeks including small group learning opportunities with a trained facilitator. Students share and learn about their emotions and the grieving process, improving their expression during change, grief and loss events.

Understanding Worry

This small group program is designed to support young people aged 7-12 who experience patterns of worry impacting their enjoyment of daily life. 'Understanding Worry' aims to improve awareness of the connection between the brain, thought processes, emotions, and body responses.

“Our students love participating in this program and talk extremely positively about it all.”

Inside Out 4 Kids Teacher/Facilitator

“I can’t say how much our school appreciate the work of the IO4K staff and what they have done for our students.”

School Principal

“It has helped me say what my emotions are, it has made me feel happy.”

Inside Out 4 Kids Participant

  • Peta was referred to the Inside Out 4 Kids Change, Grief and Loss Support program when her parents separated. She was sitting with a facilitator arranging emoji cards into categories. She picked up a few of the cards in her hand and paused for a minute before saying,

    “I think a lot of people think that I am sad about my parents breaking up. This is hard to say and I’m not sure people would understand. I am sad, but I feel kind of bad because I am actually really relieved.”

    The facilitator let Peta know that it was perfectly normal to have mixed emotions during such a big life changing moment. Peta continued, “I knew something was wrong. The house was too quiet and I just wanted it all to be out in the open.”

    Peta’s facilitator helped her draw a picture of before and after her parent’s separation and identify how things had changed, and understand her journey towards a new ‘normal’ and that they still cared for her all the same.

    Peta left her session feeling much lighter emotionally and appreciated having a safe space to express her emotions.

  • Karla contacted Children’s Services after her son’s participation in the IO4K Change Grief and Loss program through his local school. She shared how important the program had been in assisting her son Tyler, to recognize and manage his emotions.

    Karla told us that the program helped Tyler understand and identify emotions and let him know he’s not alone. “Having ways to regulate his emotions without having to talk to someone every time he’s feeling down has been amazing. For him and us as parents.”

    Karla highly recommends Inside Out 4 Kids to other parents, especially those whose children are navigating grief. She appreciates the program’s invaluable role in Tyler’s emotional growth and the relief it has brought to their family.

  • “I can’t say how much Exeter Primary appreciate the work of the IO4K staff and what they have done for our students".

    "Your expertise, caring nature and ‘going above and beyond’ is amazing. You provide a safe place and time for students to understand how they are feeling and what they can do, which fits so well will our philosophy of empowering students to manage their behaviour and themselves.

    Our students love participating in this program and talk extremely positively about you all".

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How can you help?

With many schools and families lacking the financial capacity or resources to access trauma, grief and loss support, City Mission offers IO4K as a free program, building the emotional well-being of kids.

To provide this free program, we rely heavily on the financial support of individuals and the local business community.

For each child participating in the IO4K program, the cost is $500. This includes delivery of an eight week program by a trained program facilitator, along with course materials.