I Believe in Me (IBIM)
Supporting children to grow in confidence, self-belief, and possibility
Children can sometimes begin to doubt themselves. They may hold back from trying, or feel more overwhelmed than we expect.
And as adults, it’s not always clear how to help in a way that really makes a difference.
I Believe in Me (IBIM) is a structured program that helps children understand what’s going on inside their own minds - in simple, practical ways they can actually use in everyday life.
Rather than telling children to “be confident”, IBIM helps them see:
- that their thoughts influence how they experience situations
- that beliefs about themselves can change
- that emotions are something to understand, not avoid
- that small steps can build confidence over time
It also helps them to recognise something important: that they can learn to work with their thoughts, feelings, and responses - rather than feel controlled by them.
The aim isn’t to “fix” children or push them to feel confident all the time.
It’s to give them a way to begin understanding themselves - and to start making small, meaningful changes in how they approach challenges, learning, and everyday life.
So that confidence can grow naturally, through experience.
What children develop through IBIM
IBIM supports key areas of social and emotional learning, helping children develop skills that benefit both wellbeing and learning.
Self-awareness
- recognising thoughts and emotions
- understanding strengths
- developing self-confidence
- building healthy self-esteem
Social awareness
- empathy and compassion
- appreciating differences
- respecting others
- understanding perspectives
Self-management
- managing emotions
- developing resilience
- handling challenges
- building motivation
- managing stress
Relationship skills
- communication
- listening
- cooperation
- teamwork
- resolving conflicts
Responsible decision-making
- problem-solving
- thinking independently
- setting goals
- learning persistence
- developing leadership skills
These skills support children not only in education, but in life more broadly.
How the program works
IBIM is delivered as a structured series of sessions, each building on the previous one.
Children explore ideas in ways that are engaging, practical, and age-appropriate.
Sessions include discussion, stories, creative activities, and simple reflection.
The learning journey includes 10 sessions:
- Introduction: Building confidence and creating a supportive group environment
- Thoughts Become Things: Understanding how thinking influences experience
- Visualisation: Using imagination to explore possibilities
- Beliefs: Recognising how beliefs influence confidence
- Empowering beliefs: Learning that beliefs can change and develop
- Emotions: Understanding emotions as useful information
- Mandalas: Creative reflection and calm focus
- Dreams, goals and action: Learning how small steps create progress
- Vision boards: Creating visual reminders of goals and identity
- Graduation: Celebrating growth and achievement
The program is designed to help children understand ideas in ways they can apply in everyday situations.
Who IBIM is suitable for
IBIM is designed for children approximately aged 5–12.
Different versions of the curriculum are available for:
- ages 5–8
- ages 8–12
The program can be delivered in:
- schools
- after-school programs
- small groups
- community settings
- home education environments
IBIM can be adapted for different learning environments while maintaining its core principles.
A positive learning environment
IBIM encourages children to:
- be curious
- try new things
- learn from experience
- develop confidence gradually
- respect themselves and others
- recognise their own potential
The emphasis is on encouragement, participation, and helping children feel safe to explore new ideas.
Bringing IBIM to your setting
IBIM can be delivered by trained practitioners in a range of settings, including schools, small groups, community programs and learning environments.
If you would like to:
- bring IBIM to your school or organisation
- find out whether the programme would suit your setting
- ask a question about how IBIM works
You're very welcome to get in touch.
If you would simply like to stay informed about IBIM for children, future groups, or developments in the program, you can join the mailing list here:
Interested in becoming an IBIM Practitioner?
If you would like to train to deliver the program yourself, you can learn more about the IBIM Practitioner Pathway here: