Parent-Infant Group Work: Module One

Summary

Parent-Infant Group Work: Module One

This one-day module focuses on the core principles of facilitating parent-baby groups and how to apply them in groups conducted online or face-to-face. It involves the delivery of content as well as reflections on the experience of working with parents and babies online and/ or face-to-face. Modes of training include presentations, observation of videos, large and small group discussions and mindfulness exercises.

The training is suitable for early years professionals who already have experience in facilitating parent-baby groups, and those planning to start a group. It is delivered online.

Participants will learn about:

• Babies’ seeking systems, adult caretaking systems, ghosts and angels in the nursery, Adverse Childhood Events and how these are reflected and experienced in groups.
• Signs of stress in adults and in babies, and how these are communicated.
• Methods of self-regulation and co-regulation, what we can and cannot do online or under conditions of social distancing.
• Theoretical frameworks such as the Calm and Connect and the Social – Engagement systems as well as empathy, attunement, synchrony and mentalization, and how we can find creative ways of supporting parents and babies in groups. 
• Universal features of groups and unique features of parent-baby groups.
• Different models of working with parents and babies in groups.
• Developing your own style of facilitating parent-baby groups.
• Consolidation: Understanding the aims of parent-baby groups, their core components and the task of the group facilitator.

Please note that this first module is an introduction to parent-baby groups, and that a limited number of places are available.

In the second module we use video-enhanced reflective practice, where participants film themselves facilitating a parent-baby group, and bring selected film clips to monthly supervision (three supervisions over a period of three months), where they reflect on their work and receive strength-based feedback. Dates to be confirmed. The format will be two hourly supervisions for each group of four, and each supervisee will have the opportunity to present their own work for half an hour, as well as learning from other group members.  To find out more about Module Two and register your interest, please click here.

This training has been developed by Monika Celebi – editor of Weaving the Cradle, Facilitating Groups to Promote Attachment and Bonding between Parents, Their Babies and Toddlers.