Continuing professional development: Developing a can-do approach
Monday, July 25, 2011
A course delivered by Acorn Training starts on the premise that confident practitioners create confident children, says Karen Faux.
In recognition of the place that self-confidence has in children's ability to learn and participate fully in nursery life, Acorn Training has launched a new course, 'I can do it! Helping children develop self-confidence'.
With its focus on working with children from birth to three, the six-hour session is designed to equip practitioners with an understanding of how they can help individual children to achieve self-confidence and independence, and keep this sharply in focus as part of their ongoing practice.
The starting point is to define confidence and confident behaviour. Participants will be asked to contribute their own definitions based on experience in their early years settings. The group will be urged to discuss how they recognise confidence, both in themselves and in the children, and explore how confidence is key to other aspects of learning.
Central to the course is providing participants with the ability to model confident behaviour. This involves practitioners demonstrating the importance of making choices, contributing to discussions and activities, and being prepared to try new things. Strategies are suggested for encouraging independence and establishing secure relationships.
Doral Hayes, operations director for parent company the CJ Group, says, 'In an increasingly pressured world, it is key that children are confident and have positive self-confidence. Both parents and childcarers need to mirror positive attitudes and behaviours. This course is intended to help them become more confident and look at their own behaviour patterns, as well as give ideas and strategies that will help children learn and practise the skills of confident behaviour.'
The training is led by specialist tutors who occupy a senior, hands-on role in a setting. Delegate groups of around 20 are assessed throughout the day and receive a certificate of attendance.
Ms Hayes adds, 'A child with healthy self-confidence has the courage to try different things and will be able to form new relationships and sustain existing ones. Learning these essential life skills as a child has the potential to have a huge impact on families, communities and broader society as children grow and contribute.'
Acorn Training also offers a course called Esteem Building.
A 15 per cent discount is being offered for these courses when booked on line before 20 December.
