Programme
Process
The three key learning elements of the Teens and Toddlers approach are:- regular one to one contact between each teen and a small child with whom they mentor and establish a relationship during the course
- group development sessions covering a broad curriculum including child development, effective parenting skills, anger management, sexuality and relationships
- one-to-one life counselling by trained staff for participants identified as being 'most at risk'.
Programme curriculum
UNIT 1 - INDUCTION OF TEENS
The purpose of this first session is for us to get to know each other and begin to build our group as a safe and trustworthy learning community, for you to get to know what the Teens and Toddlers project is about and introduce you to the nursery and little people.
UNIT 2 - WHAT IS A TODDLER?
The purpose of this Unit is to explore the definition of a 'toddler', to understand the developmental milestones - important stages and factors in child development - in order to know better how to be with toddlers and children. This will foster 'parenting skills' as well. We also will develop an empathetic idea of what it means to be small and relatively powerless.
UNIT 3 - CARING AND COMMUNICATING
The purpose of this session is to establish the basics of effective communications with toddlers. This will enhance communication skills for all relationships as well. We will also learn about the life stage, 'body being' that a toddler is primarily identified with to learn the postures and 'body language' which support good communication and relationships.
UNIT 4 - SELF-VALUING AND SELF ASSERTION
It is an aim of Teens and Toddlers to empower young people to learn to modify their own anger responsiveness and moral reasoning and to express their anger in more appropriate and acceptable ways. Many young people today seem skilled in fighting, bullying, intimidating and shaming others; however they are frequently inadequate in more socially desirable behaviours such as negotiating an appreciation of differences, dealing appropriately with accusations and responding effectively to failure, teasing, rejection or anger.
UNIT 5 - CONSCIOUS CONTRACEPTION
This Unit will look at relationships in general, and sexual relationships specifically. It aims to investigate the many issues involved in sexual relationships: the pressures, the desires, the misinformation and the importance of contraception. How does a teenager determine what is right for him or her self? Our primary needs in relationships: the need for love and the need for self assertion or affirmation lie at the bottom of much of our behaviour. This Unit will address these fundamental relational energies.
UNIT 6 - THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTING
The purpose of this session is to begin to explore the importance of parenting as well as the skills of parenting. We will also introduce the idea that preparing for conception is possibly the most important act a parent will make. This will include developing an understanding of the value of fathers both in a child's life and in relationship with the mother. Preparation for conception and understanding the importance of good parenting needs to happen on many levels: the quality of the relationship between the father/mother, the physical and emotional health of both mother and father and their life situation and circumstances.
UNIT 7 - HUMAN POTENTIAL
The purpose of this session is to explore human potential - to recognise that we can aspire towards our potential in a realistic way. Who are you and who would you like to be? To explore how we can have an impact on a toddlers development of their potential, by exploring the impact of the environment and child-rearing styles on a small child.
UNIT 8 - CONSCIOUS CONCEPTION
This Unit aims to introduce the physiological aspects of conception and pregnancy, beginning with fertilisation and moving through nine months of foetal growth. The damaging effects of drugs, alcohol and environmental toxins is a paramount concern for a pregnant woman. This Unit explores the latest scientific research on how remarkably intelligent a growing foetus is and how the parent's emotions, thoughts and actions impact the baby's physical and emotional health.
UNIT 9 - WELCOME TO THE WORLD!
This Unit has the purpose of investigating the development of the newborn human; understanding the complex processes underway in the newborn brain: sensory development, parent/infant bonding and early forms of communication.
UNIT 10 OUR LIFE/YOUR IDENTITY
The purpose of this Unit is for you to document your life through the pictures you have taken of important people, places and things, which matter and are meaningful to you. Who are you in the world? We will share our 'stories' with each other as a means of affirming our unique identity and discover the uniqueness of each other.
UNIT 11 - THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE and DISCIPLINE STYLES
The purpose of this Unit is to learn to understand a baby's developmental milestones in the first year of life and how to support these milestones. What can a young parent be aware of in terms of optimal growth and well-being? We will explore how, as the baby grows, setting boundaries and discipline become foreground issues. Discipline styles will be taught which empower, rather than minimise the young being.
UNIT 12 - COMPLETION AND GOODBYES - 'The Life of Your Dreams'
The first purpose of this Unit is to complete the experience with toddlers and for each student to say a healthy goodbye to the toddler he or she has been with during this time. A second purpose is for students to look to the future - to orientate themselves by envisioning time lines - short, medium and long term goals. Students will learn the importance of recognising the relationship between choices/actions and their consequences.