Self-regulation, behaviours and learning among children: An evaluation of the Journey to the Island of Calm programme in Australia

Abstract In this article, an evaluation of the Journey to the Island of Calm programme in three sites in Queensland is presented. The evaluation examines the change in children’s sense of agency and capacity to manage their social and emotional well-being. Using a mixed method approach, the findings confirm that the Journey to the Island of Calm programme has accrued positive gains for children in their self-regulation and self-understanding. The findings are useful in developing intervention and learning programmes for children between 9 and 12 years of age in order to promote their sense of agency, capacity for self-regulation and self-independence, and contribute to children’s social and emotional development and skills from very early on in life.