Conversations with Kids Cards: Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

Background: In PNG, child maltreatment and associated violence cause a lifetime burden of physical and mental illness and social problems. In May 2020 the PNG Government prepared an Education in Emergencies Response & Recovery Plan to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was increasing levels of trauma in children. Student wellbeing was a focus, particularly mental health and psychosocial support. This research investigated activities/resources for enhancing wellbeing for use by teachers, resulting in ‘Conversations with Kids’ cards.

Contribution: The 20 cards in the creative work present skills for teachers to engage students in conversations about their wellbeing. The cards are arranged in categories which describe the process of a conversation a teacher might have with a child, from start to finish. The skills are applied across three different age groups (6-11, 12-15, 16+). There is a Tok Pisin phrase on the artwork side of each card. When the cards are laid out, they form a jigsaw puzzle, which is significant for two reasons: (1) a jigsaw analogy is often used as an explanation for what happens in children’s brains when they have experienced trauma and (2) if the skills represented on the cards are used effectively, they can help a child to better cope with and overcome their trauma. This is the first study/work to conceptualise and present a structured process for engaging with children to enhance their well-being, for a Pacific nation. The work is culturally, literarily, and visually engaging to PNGs with the inclusion of quotes in Pidgin, simplistic and straightforward ways of communicating the information about the skills, and artwork and colours that represent PNG and the Pacific.

Significance: The cards are being produced by ChildFund-UNICEF and distributed across PNG to teachers for use in their work. The following clip provides an example of their reach and impact: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/PshzCgZo1xHAy1XZxhN-K8j?domain=youtu.be