Sparky and Shady is a practical, video-based online wellbeing program for 3–7 year olds. It supports emotional regulation, resilience and readiness to learn.
Listed in Beyond Blue Wellbeing Program Guide.
Written by Wellbeing Teacher, Kathy Sheehan, Bachelor of Education (Special Ed, Behaviour Management), Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons).
Grounded in psychology. Aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework, NSW PDHPE Syllabus and the Australian National Curriculum.
For use in early years educational settings (daycare, preschool, and primary school).
Families can purchase the program directly or obtain FREE access via their child’s centre or school.
Simple
Watch, discuss, apply. Short videos and practical resources fit easily into everyday routines with minimal preparation required.
Together
Educators and families share a common language, supporting children with consistent messages across home and learning settings.
For Life
Children develop skills to understand and manage their feelings, thoughts and behaviours as they grow.
How the Program Works
In five lessons (containing nine short videos), Kathy and Ranger guide children through the Five Things to Be Happy and Well – simple, practical strategies that support emotional awareness, confidence and healthy habits.
Each lesson is supported by a range of engaging resources for educators and families to use with children, including:
– Colourful summary posters
– Visual self-regulation posters
– Guided meditations
– Notes to support reflection, follow-up and wellbeing.
Educator memberships also include detailed lesson plans with discussion prompts, games, traditional stories and extension ideas. All content is aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework, the NSW PDHPE Syllabus and the Australian Curriculum. Educators run the program over five weeks and revisit as needed.
Families can access the program at no cost through their child’s early learning service or school (where the service or school have a membership), or choose to purchase their own 12-month individual access.
The Five Things to be Happy and Well are:
1. Connect with Sparky (the loving helpful part of you)
2. Train Shady (the fearful protective part of you)
3. Look After Your Body
4. Feel Your Feelings
5. Love Yourself
Sneak a Peak
Testimonial
“Sparky and Shady is a very thoughtful process that considers the different aspects of children. It contains lovely descriptions of the positive aspects of ourselves (Sparky) and the more critical, wary and protective part (Shady). It contains strategies and methods for children to cope with a range of problems and challenges. A great contribution!”
Andrew Fuller
Clinical Psychologist, Author and Speaker