Workshops

:: UPCOMING WORKSHOPS ::

Half-Day Workshop

Seminar: Making Sense Of Young Children Using The Neufeld Developmental Paradigm And Neuroscience

Baffling and beloved, with the capacity to go from joy to frustration in seconds, preschoolers are some of the most misunderstood people on the planet. Teachers and care-givers struggle with these little ones, who are known for their extreme behaviour, from tantrums, resistance, and aggression to separation anxiety and not listening. The key to understanding these young ones lies in realizing that their challenging behaviour is not personal, nor is it a disorder or deficit. It is actually part of a wonderful plan. This workshop will present the developmental profile of these children using both the newest neuroscience and the Neufeld paradigm. Then we consider how to most effectively manage behaviour that can be challenging, and to create an environment that enhances natural growth and development.

Speaker: Eva de Gosztonyi

Eva de Gosztonyi, MA, psychologist, OPQ has worked for over 45 years in schools across Canada. For the past 20 years she has been the provincial resource person for the English School Boards of Quebec through the Centre of Excellence for Behaviour Management, helping adults in the school setting provide effective developmental interventions for students with behavioural challenges. Her guiding principles are that we must value the natural maturational processes of our children and youth, respect their immaturity and vulnerability, and understand that safe and caring attachments with adults are essential for their optimal growth. Grounded in a robust theory, the interventions that she recommends to schools are practical and doable and go deeper than just managing symptoms. Her interventions are being applied in regular school settings, regular classrooms and also in specialized classrooms and schools with great success. Those implementing these strategies affirm that they lead to long-lasting changes that only come about when we understand the “why” behind the behaviour and respect the student’s developmental needs in our interventions. Her understanding of child development is primarily informed by the attachment-based developmental paradigm of Dr. Gordon Neufeld. Interventions are also guided by neuroscience, are trauma-informed and trauma-responsive, and are attachment-based and developmentally friendly. Eva is on Faculty at the Neufeld Institute and is an authorized presenter of the Neufeld paradigm.

Course Outline

1. Three natural shortcomings NOT to trip over
   • their untempered nature,
   • their characteristic inconsiderateness, and
   • their ubiquitous separation problems.
2. Three irreducible needs that must be met
   • to engage in true play,
   • to find true rest, and
   • to have true tears of futility
3. Three typical problems NOT to nip in the bud
   • tantrums and aggression,
   • resistance and oppositionality,
   • shyness and timidity
4. Common mistakes NOT to make
   • Expecting them to solve their own problems
   • Pushing independence
   • Expecting good social skills
   • Focusing on performance rather than process
5. Interventions (discipline) that respect the nature of young children
   • Building attachment
   • Providing structure and routine
   • Encouraging ample time for play
6. Interventions (discipline) with challenging students
   • Preserving attachment
   • Managing the environment
   • Providing alternatives
   • Having realistic expectations

Course Objectives

On completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the key characteristics of children ages 4 to 7 and those whose development is delayed
2. Make the link between brain development and these characteristic behaviours
3. Explain why behaviours that are often called “misbehaviours” are in reality normal for children ages 4 to 7
4. Explain the role of play in brain development
5. Explain the role of play in terms of the development of the self
6. Explain the importance of play for emotional well-being
7. Create conditions within a classroom to foster emergent and emotional play
8. Describe appropriate developmental interventions (discipline) for all young children
9. Describe appropriate developmental interventions for young children with behaviour problems

Who Can Benefit?

This workshop is appropriate for those teaching younger elementary students and special education group, social workers, counsellors, psychologists, administrators and mental health professionals.

Course Fees & Closing Dates

Registration Type	Closing Date	Fees (S$) /pax
	15 Nov 2022	160
Normal	Till Full	190