Answer the 2 key questions that create a peaceful classroom:
1. How can I understand children's Attachment needs by observing their behavior?
I had already taken the Montessori training and had over 6 years of teaching experience before I learned this - and it changed the game! When I understood the Attachment Needs behind children's challenging behaviors, I suddenly knew how to help them - and the changes I saw in my students amazed me.
2. What do children need from me, as a teacher, to help them thrive in the classroom?
How do you know when to step in and stop a child's behavior, and when to let it play out? Is it better to be strict or "gentle"? How do you handle misbehavior in a way that feels good and works? This combination of training and coaching will give you clear guidelines for what children need from you, as a teacher, and help you learn to trust yourself - so you can keep your confidence long after the program ends.
I was already well-trained AND well-practiced as a teacher by the time I was introduced to the Circle of Security framework.
I had taken the Montessori teacher training, which had opened my mind to the idea that children's behavior was driven by their needs. I had also spent 6 years in the classroom full-time, 2 before my training and 4 after, working in classrooms of up to twenty children. Leading the songs, giving the lessons, having the conversations, holding the criers.
In many ways I felt very confident in my work. I had figured a lot out. I was good with the kids AND the parents. But I still had questions.
Why did some kids cling to me all day, and how could I get them to be more independent?
Why did other kids refuse comfort, even when they were visibly hurt?
Should I really *ignore* kids who cried or threw tantrums often, since I had been told repeatedly that they were "just looking for attention"?
What should I do with kids who were so upset that they were totally out of control, hurting themselves and others?
Why could I handle my irritation for some of the kids' behavior for a long time, only to lose my cool at something that seemed small?
Why did disobedience and defiance make me feel so emotional?
How should I work with coworkers and parents who had very different styles and standards for interacting with children?
How could I discuss these differences without stepping on toes and making things awkward?
The Circle of Security framework gave me clarity on questions I didn't even know I had, before this program answered them.
That's why it was such a game changer. And that's why I went on to take several COSP trainings myself, so I could learn how to offer this same gift to as many other teachers as possible.
This program isn't just for you: it makes a huge impact on the children in your classroom. The Circle of Security framework has been used in early childhood classrooms for 25 years, and the results of this work are in. We now know that children who feel connected with their first teachers are more likely to:
• Feel connected to and enjoy belonging to their school
• Hold positive attitudes about school
• Look forward to going to school each day
• Show kindness and sensitivity to those around them
• Remain engaged with their school work
• Have positive interactions with peers
• See themselves in a positive light even when under stress
• Seek out challenges in their school work knowing they can turn to their teacher for help
• Work independently in the classroom because of confidence in the relationship with their teacher
• Persist with school work in the face of difficulty
• Bring a trusting attitude toward future teacher relationships
• Stay in school rather than find ways to go home early
• Have fewer incidents of school suspension or behavioral infractions
• Experience increased affection toward their teachers
• Demonstrate lower levels of aggression, less fighting/arguments with teachers and peers, and less disruptive behaviors in the classroom
• Experience some protection against the impact of growing up in stressful environments
These are the kind of results you can expect from fully participating in this program. It is a significant time commitment because it introduces a new framework for working with children, but not only is it effective - it feels good.
Teachers who have taken Circle of Security for the Classroom report better interactions and communication with both children and parents, increased feelings of support from coworkers, decreased levels of stress and depression, and increased confidence in their own abilities.
The Circle of Security program combines 60 years of research from the fields of attachment, neuroscience, and child development into a structured framework to support teachers. In this program you will learn to understand children's needs, recognize unhelpful behavior patterns, and strengthen the quality of your relationships with the children in your class.
For more information on this model, visit circleofsecurityinternational.com.
This program starts with an 8-week group program where early childhood teams can learn the Circle of Security framework together in small groups of up to 12.
Then, I will meet with individual classroom teams weekly for 16 weeks of coaching, to make sure the information you learned during the training becomes a habit that you reach for - without even needing to think about it!
Observation is one of the first tools I will invite you to practice in the 8-week group program, and it will be a key facet of continuing coaching.
You'll learn to observe children's behavior and make guesses about what needs they might be expressing, and I will observe *you* in the classroom, either in person or via video recordings, to help you see both your strengths and your blind spots, and to help us set goals and plan for the future.
This coaching process consists of cycles of planning and goal setting, observation, and reflection on your experiences - which will then allow us to strategize to set new goals! My job is to help you practice this new model and see things you might miss in the bustle of the classroom, but ultimately, you are setting goals for yourself and your students. I'm just there to listen to your thoughts and feelings, support you with information and tools, and help you connect with your inner wisdom.
We'll start with the 8-week program which introduces not only the Circle framework, but also weekly exercises and tools designed specifically for early childhood classrooms. I'll be your guide, with my combined experience of 5 COSP trainings and two years of offering this program to dozens of participants, AND ten years of classroom teaching experience with hundreds of children.
As a former English major I am no stranger to detailed note-taking! I will write thorough observations of what I see in your classroom, which will help to structure our weekly reflection and goal-setting meetings. I will base my observations on what we've already discussed in our planning meetings, and the goals you have set for yourself and your students.
Coaching sessions are for discussing whatever you're working on in the classroom. Are you struggling with an after-lunch transition? Are children regressing after a big change? Is one ring-leader giving you headaches? We'll discuss whatever's happening, reflect on what we think the children need to help them succeed, and set clear goals and plans on a weekly basis.
Afraid it sounds too good to be true that you can transform your confidence through this program?
"Circle of Security helped me feel so much more confident in how to respond to children in various circumstances. I used to struggle to set firm boundaries, and Circle showed me how to hold firm boundaries while always remaining kind and loving. "
- Jane B.
Who could benefit from this program?
“I am a parent of a young child (4 year old boy) and I took the Circle of Security Training with Katie. I loved every minute of it! My relationship with my own child is forever improved because of the things I learned in my eight sessions with Katie.
As a facilitator, Katie is incredibly clear, empathetic, nonjudgmental and supportive. She has a lot of knowledge! I hope that all parents, teachers and anyone who works with young children will gift themselves with the knowledge of Circle of Security through Katie's clear insight.”"
- Ashley C.
How can this program help teachers relate to parents and coworkers?
"Working with Katie and learning about Circle of Security has enabled me to be so much gentler with myself and understand why certain behaviors are harder for me to respond to. I know myself better in some really important ways now that will help me to work with children and parents more effectively, and be more compassionate about the challenge areas of other caregivers as well. "
- Caitlyn M.
This program is comprehensive and thorough, because it's designed to create changes that will last. It is most effective when it is adopted by an entire school community - including administrators! As an administrator, offering this training and coaching program to your staff will make a world of difference, this year, and into the future. Apply now, and we can discuss whether this program is a good fit for your school.
Are you ready to change your school for the better? Please fill out this questionnaire and I will reach out to schedule a Discovery Call to discuss whether COS Training and Coaching is a good fit for your school.
CONTACT ME
If you're a teacher who is interested in training, a curious administrator, or a parent who would like to recommend this program for your school - let me know what's on your mind, and I'll answer your questions in 2-3 business days.
© 2023 All Rights Reserved
