One of the main objectives of the Tod@s IN project is to prevent and mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the mental health of children and young people, promoting emotional well-being. To achieve this goal, it is essential to work with as many children and young people from the schools benefiting from the project as possible, in addition to the children and young people receiving tutoring.

The Tod@s IN project’s classroom activities exist to achieve this goal and involve all 6th, 8th and 9th grade students, using exercises and fun activities to address topics such as emotional management, mental health, self-esteem and conflict management.

3 sessions per class, facilitated by PAR Respostas Sociais, between March and May 2025

3 sessions per class, facilitated by PAR Respostas Sociais, between March and May 2025

All 6th, 8th and 9th grade classes at Almirante Gago Coutinho Primary School will have three sessions dedicated to different topics, which have been identified as priorities by the Alvalade School Group.

The sessions began on 24 March at EB Almirante Gago Coutinho and are run by the technical team of the partner organisation PAR Respostas Sociais, with the support of the technical team of the City of Lisbon Foundation. After the Easter school break, the sessions will continue at Eugénio dos Santos Primary School, reaching all classes in the school: a total of 33!

O caminho para a solução

One of the activities carried out as part of the work on conflict management is called ‘the path to resolution’.

The class is divided into small groups. Three common ways of reacting to conflict are presented: ESCAPE, ATTACK and DIALOGUE, with posters placed in visible locations. Three paths are marked out on the floor with adhesive tape, each leading to one of these posters. Inside a bag are cards with different conflict situations. Each group takes turns to remove a card, reads it aloud and, together, decides on the best way to react: escape, attack or dialogue. After choosing the path, the group is encouraged to reflect on three essential questions: Why did they choose this option? What consequences could this choice have? And what could happen if they had chosen another path? This dynamic promotes critical thinking and empathy in conflict resolution.

Class activities will continue until the end of May 2025, with group dynamics such as these to promote empathy, team spirit and the mental health of participants. What if this, replicated in all schools on an ongoing basis, were the path to the solution?