Supporting the Development of Social-Emotional Competence in Children

When

20 Oct 2008 - 22 Oct 2008
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Asia/Singapore

Where

Melbourne - ether Conference Centre
265 - 281 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC

Event Tag

This workshop will explore the development of social-emotional competence in children and the role that adults play fostering healthy social-emotional development. Specifically, the following topics will be covered:

  • Theories of social-emotional development
  • Developmental milestones of social-emotional competence
  • The link between social emotional competence and other developmental outcomes
  • The role of the family
  • The role of the teacher and other important adults
  • Specific strategies and programs to foster social-emotional competence.

Objectives
As a result of this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand developmental theories of social-emotional development
  • Be able to recognize the developmental sequence of various components of social-emotional development
  • Recognize that each child has unique needs in the area of social-emotional development
  • Appreciate the influence and the role of the family on social-emotional development
  • Realize the profound influence that teachers and other adults have in fostering and shaping social emotional competence
  • Develop a toolbox of strategies, both group and individual for supporting the development of social emotional competence
  • Gain awareness of exemplary programs designed to foster social emotional competence

Outline
Day 1:

  • What is social-emotional development?
  • What are the dominant theories of social-emotional development?
  • What do children need to develop social-emotional competence?
  • At what age do children typically achieve various developmental milestones in the area of social-emotional competence?
  • What about children who do not have environments which promote social-emotional competence?
  • What is the relation among social-emotional competence, academic achievement, physical well-being and overall life satisfaction?

Day 2:

  • Why is it important to consider the unique social-emotional needs of each child?
  • How does the family influence the development of social-emotional competence?
  • How does the adult’s (parent, teacher) role as “co-regulator of emotions” lead to successful development of social emotional competence?
  • How can the teacher and other important adults make a profound impact on children, both those who have had optimal environments and those who have not had this opportunity?
  • What do teachers need in order to take on the task of assisting children in their development of social-emotional competence?

Day 3:

  • How can the classroom environment impact the development of social-emotional competence?
  • What is “mindfulness training” and how can teachers and students benefit from this approach in their daily routines in support of social-emotional competence?
  • How can moral discussions promote the development of social-emotional competence?
  • What are some exemplary school-based programs that promote social-emotional development and competence?

Trainer’s Profile
Denise B., B.A., B.Ed. (U.B.C.), M.A. (U of Chicago) and Ph.D. (U.B.C).

Dr. Denise has been a teacher in French Immersion, elementary classrooms, a learning resource centre and a school district program for children with learning, emotional and behavioral challenges. In Chicago, she worked as a milieu therapist and individual therapist in a long-term residential treatment center for children and adolescents who have severe psychiatric illness. In addition to inpatient treatment, she worked as an individual therapist in an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry unit.

Dr. Denise has worked as an instructor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada for the past six years with and has an extensive research background specializing in child and youth mental health and well-being. She has presented widely on various topics related to child and adolescent development. She was involved in the organization of the Vancouver roundtable dialogues with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama in 2004 and 2006 which focused on the importance of “Educating the Heart”.  Currently her research is focused on community-based projects centred around positive development in childhood and adolescence. In addition to her research and teaching, she is a Registered Clinical Counselor and maintains a small private practice working with children and youth in a counseling setting assisting with educational and mental health issues.

Methodology
This workshop will include lecture, large and small group discussion, individual reflection, audiovisual presentations, and experiential activities. The format is designed to be engaging and encouraging of continual interaction between the learners and instructor.

Target Audience
This workshop is designed for all teachers and other adults who work in a school setting with students from kindergarten through to primary school (ages 5-13).

Duration: 3 days, 18 hours
Closing Date:  18 Jul 08



Other Available Sessions
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