designed to support the social and emotional resilience of
students aged 5 to 15 years. The natural appeal of
boardgames to kids make them a great way to teach
psychological skills like social and emotional literacy,
resilience, assertiveness, humour, cognitive behaviour
therapy, problem solving and character development.
The games progress in skill and complexity and cover things
kids deal with like friendship problems, teasing, bullying,
anger, anxiety, success at school, happiness and character development.
The semi-naturalistic setting of a boardgame creates a ‘life-space’
in which the facilitator guides discussion of
psychologically sounds ways to solve problems and develop
resilience to the ups and downs of life.
Robyn Hromek has a Masters Degree in Psychology (Education) (1997) and a Graduate Diploma of Education (1984) from the University of Newcastle, NSW Australia. She also gained a Bachelor of Science degree (1974) from the University of NSW. Her research was in the area of peer-based programs to reduce harassment amongst students. The school in which she lead this program was awarded an Australian Anti-Violence Award (1998).
While Robyn has retired from full time employment and is no longer a registered psychologist, she brings a depth of experience from her 30 years of work in schools in roles such as primary school teacher, school counsellor, district guidance officer and senior psychologist. She has also worked as a lecturer and tutor in education and psychology at the University of Western Sydney.
She has spoken at national and international conferences including:
3rd Educational Games Competition Steinkjer Norway 2015. The game Dragons Paragons and Shadows was shortlisted
Australian Guidance & Counselling Association National Conference -Sydney 2013
7th European Conference Games Based Learning Porto Portugal 2013
International Conference Moral Education Nanjing 2011
5th International Conference Positive Psychology Copenhagen 2010
2nd European Conference Games Based Learning – Barcelona 2008
The social and emotional development of children is a particular interest for Robyn and she developed this set of 15 boardgames to help teach these skills to children and young people. Her underlying philosophy is that children are a work in progress and that they learn most by watching us, the adults and their peers around them. She draws from the ideas of Seligman, Gardner, Vygotsky, Bandura, Goldman and Goldstein to produce innovative and experiential strategies that readily engage children in the process of becoming the best they may be.
Other publications available in Australia from www.footprint.com.au or www.paulchapmanpublishing.co.uk
Planting the Peace Virus: Early Intervention to Prevent Violence in Schools, 2004 (Luck Duck Publications). This book is about how one school worked together to substantially reduce violence and harassment in their school.
Game Time: Games to promote Social and Emotional Resilience, 2005 (Paul Chapman: Sage Publications). This book comes with a CD to print 9 board games and cards. These games are the same as 9 of the games on this website.
A Training Framework: Planting the peace virus – in ‘Violence Reduction in Schools – How to Make a Difference: A Handbook’ 2006 (Ed C Gittins, Publisher Council of Europe)
Emotional Coaching: A practical programme to support young people, 2007 (Paul Chapman: Sage Publications). This book presents a mentoring program for teachers, aides and therapists who wish to coach young people with mild to moderate emotional difficulties. The book comes with a CD to print reflection sheets and therapeutic games.
Promoting Social and Emotional Learning with Games; “It’s Fun and We Learn Things” Simulation and Gaming. October 2009 (Co-author Dr Sue Roffey)
Peaceful and Compassionate Futures in ‘Positive Relationships: Evidence Based Practice across the World’, 2012 (Co-author A White, Ed S Roffey, Publisher: Springer)
Facilitation of Trust in Gaming Situations in ‘Student Usability in Educational Software and Games: Improving Student Experience’ 2013 (Ed C Gonzalez. Publisher IGI Global)
