FEREA (Executive Functions, Relationships, Emotions and Environment) School
Michela Vetrano, Laura Ferla, Gian Marco Marzocchi
«I’m Listening» is an educational and didactic project, which, using the FEREA (executive functions, relationships, emotions and environment) model in its SCHOOL version and the basic debate technique (Monaldi, 2022), aimed to enhance listening skills, collaboration, and frustration management in fourth and fifth year pupils of the applicant primary school. The project was developed in two main phases: a playful phase involving the use of board games, and a debate phase. The programme employed various tools for self-monitoring and classroom observation. The qualitative and quantitative data collected showed that the game-based activities generated enjoyment and improved relationships, while also presenting challenging tasks, such as turn-taking and accepting and understanding corrections after mistakes. Supporting resources for development included the structuring of working groups and the management of appropriate spaces for exchanges within and between groups, activities focused on discussion and dialogue, shared problem-solving, and assertive communication. The adults—teachers and the pedagogist—acted as co-regulators and guides. Through structured and attentive observation, support during conflicts and losses, and the provision of thoughtful prompts rather than direct solutions, they facilitated the children’s acquisition of self-regulation strategies.
Keywords
Executive functions, Self-regulation, Relationships, Class workshops, Games.