USE YOUR WITS®
The WITS® programs work in schools to teach children strategies that promote kindness and effectively manage victimization such as discrimination and bullying. In a whole-community approach, WITS and its counterparts involve schools, families and community members.
Schools now subscribe to access WITS resources, training and program materials. For youth, look under “Programs” above for our newest initiatives.
Accredited by CASEL as a promising Social Emotional Learning program, the easy-to-teach WITS strategies have been proven effective via formal evaluations. In 2016, WITS was acclaimed as the “best school program of its kind” in Canada by researchers at Dalhousie University. The WITS Programs are trusted by over 1500 schools worldwide.
The WITS Program provides children from Kindergarten to Grade 3 (up to grade 6/7; age groups are flexible) with skills and language to manage peer victimization. Using carefully chosen children’s books, engaging resources, and cross-curriculum lessons, educators find WITS easy to implement and effective in reducing peer victimization like discrimination, bullying, etc.
LEADS, an extension of WITS, provides students in Grades 4 through 6/7 (age groups are flexible) with strategies that empower kids to resolve conflicts and model good behaviour. Like WITS, LEADS is a literature based program with dynamic activities that may be integrated throughout a variety of subject areas.
Starting in schools and affecting entire communities, we are committed to creating safe, inclusive and healthy environments for children and youth. Here are some of the ways we do that:
Expanded languages
To reach more families, we created the new WITS take-home card. By scanning the QR code, families can read about WITS in their choice of 12 languages, referring to the school’s use of WITS and helping families use WITS at home. www.witsprogram.ca/families
Indigenous Communities
The WITS Program is used in dozens of Indigenous community schools. The advice of Indigenous educators and consultants is embedded into WITS. We also encourage program adaptation that will work with unique cultures and needs. In 2022, WITS subscriptions are free to Indigenous schools.
WITS commitment to Indigenous communities and reconciliation.
NEW Youth Program
Coming in 2023: For ages 10 to 16, Canadian Kindness Leaders guides youth to conceive of and implement their own projects that support kindness in their school and/or community. Available to subscribed schools. Positively empower your youth! See www.canadiankindnessleaders.ca
WITS Programs have been delivered in more than 1300 schools in every province and territory in Canada, and many more outside of Canada. WITS is committed to making sure that every child has a safe, supportive community in which to grow and thrive.
Click through to our map to see if your community is represented:
WITS Programs schools worldwide
Educators and Community
Leaders trained in WITS
Programs
Books on the WITS Pick
or WITS Recommended
book lists
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