Circle of Security: Parenting programme starting early 2015 in PTA

The Circle of Security (COS) is an internationally accredited "attachment-based early intervention programme for children and caregivers…designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. Decades of University-based research has confirmed that secure children exhibit increased empathy, greater self-esteem, better relationships with parents and peers, enhanced school readiness, and an increased capacity to handle emotions more effectively when compared with children who are not secure." (http://circleofsecurity.net/)

The COS parenting training focuses on enhancing parent’s or caregivers’ understanding of their child so that they can better respond to the needs of their child and as such form a stronger bond with their child. Having this strong bond affords parents or caregivers the opportunity to connect with their child on a deeper level which will leave the child feeling much safer and more secure.

This parent reflective programme will be presented to parents or caregivers, in groups of up to ten, as couples or individuals during an eight week period. The group will be faciliated by clinical psychologists, accredited COS facilitators, Sarita Burger and Christine Laidlaw in Pretoria East in early 2015.

During this period parents will become more knowledgeable on forming a secure and strong bond with their child and maintaining this bond while being able to become more aware of and understanding of their child’s needs. Furthermore, during these eight weeks parents or caregivers will also have the opportunity to practice and reflect on these new attachment skills they have learnt.

Format of the programme:

An hour-long intake interview will be arranged with each individual or parental couple before the commencement of the eight week programme. During this session important information regarding their family structures and parenting style will be obtained.

Participants will then attend an eight week programme once a week for an hour and a half. During these sessions parents will watch a training video. Whilst watching this video scheduled pauses will be made. During these pauses participants will have the opportunity to engage in reflective dialogue with each other and the psychologist educators.

For more information or to sign up, feel free to contact Sarita Burger on sarita.burger@gmail.com or Christine Laidlaw at info@christinelaidlaw.co.za or 0794348444

Tears and whys

Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life's search for love and wisdom. -Rumi

Neruda: Hidden flowers

 by Lewis Gillingham

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep. 

-Pablo Neruda                          

Circle of Security: Secure parenting programme in 2015

The Circle of Security (COS) is an internationally accredited "attachment-based early intervention programme for children and caregivers…designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. Decades of University-based research has confirmed that secure children exhibit increased empathy, greater self-esteem, better relationships with parents and peers, enhanced school readiness, and an increased capacity to handle emotions more effectively when compared with children who are not secure." (http://circleofsecurity.net/)

The COS parenting training focuses on enhancing parent’s or caregivers’ understanding of their child so that they can better respond to the needs of their child and as such form a stronger bond with their child. Having this strong bond affords parents or caregivers the opportunity to connect with their child on a deeper level which will leave the child feeling much safer and more secure.

This parent reflective programme will be presented to parents or caregivers, in groups of up to ten, as couples or individuals during an eight week period. The group will be faciliated by clinical psychologists, accredited COS facilitators, Sarita Burger and Christine Laidlaw in Pretoria East in early 2015.

During this period parents will become more knowledgeable on forming a secure and strong bond with their child and maintaining this bond while being able to become more aware of and understanding of their child’s needs. Furthermore, during these eight weeks parents or caregivers will also have the opportunity to practice and reflect on these new attachment skills they have learnt.

Format of the programme:

An hour long intake interview will be arranged with each individual or parental couple before the commencement of the eight week programme. During this session important information regarding their family structures and parenting style will be obtained.

Participants will then attend an eight week programme once a week for an hour and a half. During these sessions parents will watch a training video. Whilst watching this video scheduled pauses will be made. During these pauses participants will have the opportunity to engage in reflective dialogue with each other and the psychologist educators.

For more information or to sign up, feel free to contact Sarita Burger on sarita.burger@gmail.com or Christine Laidlaw at info@christinelaidlaw.co.za or 0794348444