Body Image Resources for Schools
This body image resource list was compiled by Thea O’Connor following the four 2015 Positive
Schools Conferences held in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. In each state, workshop
participants pooled their collective knowledge, contributing the names of any body image resources
they knew of or had used. The aim is to create a ‘living list’ that we all help keep up to date,
reducing the need to reinvent the wheel.
This list does not rate the resources according to quality. It is up to the teacher to judge if the
material is appropriate for his or her students. However the first three resources listed below do
offer guidelines on how to identify better quality programs.
It’s unlikely that we have captured everything that is available and suitable for Australian schools,
but it’s a good start! Your ongoing contribution and comments are welcome. Send them to
[email protected].
RESOURCE
COMMENT
GUIDELINES
Very good,
comprehensive
guide.
Key standards for teaching about body image, UK.
Eating Disorders in Schools: Prevention, Early Identification and Response
Manual produced by The National Eating Disorders Collaboration
The resource encourages a whole- school approach to eating disorders, so
includes some good advice re prevention programs.
Eating Disorder Resource for Schools
Produced by Eating Disorder Foundation of Victoria.
Contains good information on prevention programs, including body image.
see pages 1617 for list of
evidence based
programs.
The audit in the
appendix is a
very useful tool
for auditing your
school
PROGRAMS
Happy Being Me
Developed by La Trove University, School of Psychology. An evidence-based
three-session classroom prevention-intervention program for girls aged 11 to 14
years. The manual contains information to enable the facilitator to conduct each
interactive session and resources required to deliver the session in the
classroom. Contact Susan Paxton: [email protected]
Recently
adapted to be a
co-educational
6-session
program.
Evaluation
results here.
Body Think
Administered by Butterfly Foundation, supported by Dove Real Beauty Campaign.
BodyThink is a four session, eating disorder health promotion and prevention
school-based workshop for children aged 11 to 14 years. Materials include a
booklet with facilitator instructions, activity cards, and a DVD on media beauty
Program was
evaluated by La
Trobe
University,
results here.
Thea O’Connor
www.thea.com.au
Body Image Resources, Aug 2015
ideals.
The Body Project (US) Developed by Eric Stice, a world authority on eatingdisorder prevention. Contains two, 4 session evidence-based intervention
programs that can be used with low- or high-risk adolescent and university-aged
females to prevent disordered eating. The book provides a session-by-session
approach to implementing the programs. Cost of Book: $45
Likely to work
best for highrisk people.
Taking action on body image. (UK) Developed by National Citizen Service,
England. Aimed at 16-17 yr olds, covering what is body image, media messages,
social media, body talk, strengths.
MEDIA LITERACY
Media Smart
Developed by Flinders University School of Psychology.
A practical, eight-lesson media literacy program suitable for girls and boys in late
primary school or early high school. Information for teachers on the area of body
image and eating disorders, detailed lesson plans and a workbook for students.
Cost: $495.
Evaluation
found that those
who received
the program,
had significantly
lower scores on
6 of 9 eating
disorder risk
factors.
See Me Developed by Queen Victoria Women’s Centre.
Web based, media literacy activities that link with the curriculum.
Dove campaign for real beauty
Includes male version
Dove videos of media manipulation. Evolution
Short videos demonstrating extent of manipulation. Good conversation starters.
Upworthiest video: Body Evolution
Shows extent of media manipulation.
Miss Representation
A 2011 American documentary that explores how mainstream media contributes
to the under-representation of women in influential positions by circulating limited
and often disparaging portrayals of women.
Tracey Spicer’s TED talk
TV presenter reveals the extent of her beauty routine, how much time and money
it takes, and what she could be doing instead.
Sometimes
criticized that
these are
created by
Dove, which is
part of the
beauty industry
UpWorthiest
has a great
collection of
video clips
Powerful
critique, for
upper high
school students.
For upper high
school girls
NORMAL PUBERTAL DEVELOPMENT
Thea O’Connor
www.thea.com.au
Body Image Resources, Aug 2015
Family Planning and Women’s Health Organizations in each state
Kaz Cooke
Completelygorgeous.com
It includes excerpts from the book, Real Gorgeous, an animated video, and
games and learning activities that are relevant to areas of schooling including
health and physical education, society and environment, arts, English, science,
cultural studies, media studies, psychology, and personal development.
Book “Girls Stuff’
Secret Girls and Secret Boys Business (Books)
Lets Chat Education Program (Brisbane)
Includes “changing bodies’ seminars for parents and families.
Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships (WA govt)
Curriculum support for teachers related to relationships and sexual health.
Also includes some simple guidelines for teaching body image in schools.
A website and
classroom
resource for
students and
teachers from
upper primary
school to
secondary
school
Focuses on girls
and boys
journey through
puberty
Relationship
and sexuality
education, inc
some body
image themes
Contains a few
body image info
& activities and
a ‘growing
bodies’ section
CHALLENGING STEREOTYPES
Like a Girl (video)
Bend it Like Beckham (movie)
FOCUSING ON NON-APPEARANCE ATTRIBUTES
Identify strengths in self and others: St Luke’s strength cards.
SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-TALK
Inner Cosmetics – transforming negative self talk into self appreciation.
Developed by Thea O’Connor and co-facilitated with Olivia Bernadini.
A 2hr x 4week program that trains teenage girls in an inner beauty routine that
‘cleanses’ the inner eye of negative self-evaluation, ‘tones’ the fine muscles of
self-appreciation, and deeply nourishes our sense of self-worth. The program
uses proven techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and includes guided
meditations, experiential, body based activities drawn from Somatic Therapy,
improvised theatre and movement awareness techniques. Contact:
[email protected]
Evaluation of
program
conducted in
conjunction with
La Trobe
University.
Inspire Program for Girls
Created by Jane Higgins, CEO (SA).
Offers workshops and day long programs related to Respectful Relationships,
Body image and Self esteem, Our Uniqueness, Drugs and Alcohol, Self
Thea O’Connor
www.thea.com.au
Body Image Resources, Aug 2015
Protection
Enlighten education
Founded by former teacher, Danielle Miller
Offers programs for girls related to self-esteem, relationships, empowerment and
body image.
Esteem DesignZ
For girls grade 5 to 10 . Explores self-identity and self-esteem through creativity.
Dove Beauty Sketches (video)
Highlights women’s tendency to see themselves as less attractive than they might
really be.
Body Beautiful App
American App; that includes sharing positive messages about friends and making
positive body image pledges
Very American!
Model Tyra Banks on comparing yourself (video clip)
Louise Hay Mirror work and Affirmations
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
This Girl Can (UK)
Media campaign launched in early 2015 to encourage girls and women to take up
sports.
Great, funky
video clips
JJJ interview with Rugby player David Pocock about his body image and eating
disorder.
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/triplej/thedoctor/david_pocock_2014_10_8.mp3
SOCIAL ADVOCACY
Globaldemocracy.com
A site where you can vote for ideas about a better word, such as using
disclaimers for airbrushed models
RESOURCES FOR MALES
The Men We Need, Produced by ChoiceZ Media:
A 7 part program exploring key issues for young men through lens of how
masculine strength is used.
[email protected] www.choicez.com.au ACT.
Odyssey Program for Boys
CEO Jen Higgins.
Offers day programs and workshops for teenage boys related to Masculinity and
identity, Mateship and friendship, Girls and relationships, Drugs and alcohol,
Anger Management and Positive Psychology/Mental Health.
Thea O’Connor
www.thea.com.au
Body Image Resources, Aug 2015
AWARENESS RAISING / EDUCATION FOR PARENTS
How do you talk to yourself? The Mannequin project (4min video clip)
Illustrates mother’s negative self-talk about her body.
Gets great
audience
reaction, funny.
How to help your daughter lover her body and herself
Body image boosters for families
How can parents promote healthy weight and health body image in
children?
Presented by Thea O’Connor
Seminar for parents exploring practical strategies to enhance body confidence,
from childhood to the teenage years. Can be adapted to include boys.
Body Confident Children & Teens Parent Workshop
Offered by Butterfly Foundation.
RESILIENCY SKILLS – just a few examples
BounceBack! Wellbeing and Resilience program
Developed by Helen McGrath and Professor Toni Noble (ACU)
Offers practical strategies to help children and young people function well at
school and in life.
G.I.R.L.S. Girls in Real Life Situations Book
A ‘group counseling’ work workbook and CD for girls grade 6 to 12. Includes
section Body Image Choices.
SenseAbility
Developed by beyondblue
SenseAbility is a strengths-based resilience program designed for those working
with young Australians aged 12-18 years. It consists of a suite of modules
developed to enhance and maintain emotional and psychological resilience.
The Rite Journey
Uses a Rites of passage framework to guide the transition from child to adult
Includes yearlong training for teachers and gender specific programs for students.
OTHER A weight off my mind Body Image journal
A downloadable body image journal for young women.
TOYS / GIFTS
Lamilly Doll Realistic size dolls
Towards the stars For gender neutral gifts and products
Ruby Who? (DVD and book) An innocent story of a little girl's adventure in re-discovering her
identity.
Thea O’Connor
www.thea.com.au
Body Image Resources, Aug 2015
BOOKS FOR KIDS
Your Body is Brilliant. Colouring in book for 4 year olds
Jessica Kingsley Publishers Authors: Sigrun Danielsdottir Price: RRP £10.99
BOOKS FOR ADULTS
Everybody's Different: A Positive Approach to Teaching about Health, Puberty, Body Image,
Nutrition, Self-Esteem and Obesity Prevention 92007).
Author: Jennifer O’Dea. Available from ACER Cost: $60
This book outlines a whole-school curriculum for children and adolescents, Everybody's Different,
which promotes healthy nutrition, self-esteem enhancement, media literacy, acceptance of pubertal
processes, and positive body image with the aim of preventing Eating Disorders and obesity. The
program is a whole-school curriculum involving strategies for school policy, school climate, and
classroom-based teaching and learning activities.
Healthy Bodies, Teaching kids what they need to know. Kathy Kater.
Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls Melinda Tankard Reist
Big Porn Inc Melinda Tankard Reist
Too Sexy, Too Soon. Melinda Tankard Reist
How to be a woman Caitlin Moran
The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement (2009), Professor Jean Twenge
and Keith Campbell
Positive Psychology and The Body (2013) by psychologist Dr Kate Hefferon.
Covers the link between the physical body’s and our wellbeing, including topics such as
Embodiment and body awareness, Nutrition, Sex and sexuality, Body adornment, scarring, and
modification, Sport and physical activity, Interpersonal touch
University level text – could use for upper high school or teachers own knowledge
What’s happening to our Girls? Maggie Hamilton
What’s happening to our Boys? Maggie Hamilton
Faking it Magazine Front cover looks like a girl’s magazine but contains analytical articles about
impact of media on women.
AWARENESS-RAISING DAYS
International No Diet Day May 6
Makeup Free Me – A day held by Butterfly Foundation to encourage women to take on the
challenge of going without makeup for 24 hours, seeking to show that beauty is more than just skin
deep.
Fat-Talk Free Week - Raising awareness of ‘self-talk’ and ‘fat talk’ and how this can be damaging
to individuals and peers.
Thea O’Connor
www.thea.com.au
Body Image Resources, Aug 2015