social emotional learning for peer connection and belonging
For Classrooms and Clinics
To explore what Social Stencil is, who it’s for, who can deliver it, and how it works, start with this 1‑minute video.
What is social stencil?
Social Stencil is an Australian neuroaffirming social-emotional curriculum that supports all young people to explore and understand themselves and others; our social, emotional, sensory, and learning similarities and our differences. At Social Stencil we call that peer-to-peer learning.
Young people then work together to understand friendship concepts, why and how conflict happens, and a skill set of strategies to manage conflict and life’s tricky moments.
“Recognising and understanding ourselves and others lays the foundation for positive peer relationships and inclusive classrooms where every individual is valued and belongs, ready to work and learn together”. Dr Connie Buckingham
Social stencil is evidence-based
Social Stencil has been internally and independently evaluated since its inception in 2008. However, the major evaluation occurred between 2009-2019. At that stage Social Stencil was a traditional Social Emotional Learning program. That means, we were teaching everyone just one social emotional skill set. We weren’t yet neuroaffirming! That shift started to take place from 2021, and will continue to inform the development of the Social Stencil program.
This year (2025) Social Stencil is undergoing further formal evaluation as part of a dedicated research project with the University of Melbourne. This project includes both a quantitative evaluation of student wellbeing and belonging from our whole class program, and a qualitative evaluation exploring the lived experience of autistic students engaging with our small group program.
Stay tuned for results to be published at the end of this year.
Online lesson plans and e-resource Portal
Educators and Clinicians are supported to run the program via a self-paced portal with lesson plans, video models and downloadable material for the classroom.
The online training provides 11 hours of professional development, with a certificate of certification at completion. Jump straight in!