A parenting program developed from the insights of Rudolf Steiner will be offered in Melbourne from Tuesday 5th July to Friday 8th July.

This program is offered by its founders Dr Christoph Meinecke, Cristina Meinecke and Kirsten Schriber, from the  Familienforum Havelhoehe in Germany.

This integrated study course  addresses the following themes:

What does a human being need:

• the four homes
• what troubles me, what troubles the child, what security does my child need.
• Practical session: what can be do to be less troubled, less worried; questions and reflections.

How do I become human:

• the development of the child in teh first three years (walking, talking, thinking) and how does this influence later life.
• the development of the will and the inner disposition of the educator.
• The senses: how can we care for the senses and protect them from over stimulation.
• How do the senses influence our behaviour.
• Practical session: senses.
• My own biography, the child in me, the influence this has on being a parent

How am I as a human being:

• relationships, bonding and communication.
• what makes/creates a relationship, what does a relationship need, how does this find a place in every day life.
• Practical session on relationship, bonding and communication.
• Rules and setting limits between rigidity and arbitrariness, daily structures, rituals and consequences.
• Practical session: dealing with rules and consequences.
• Partnership and being a parent, how does that work together.
• Practical session: resolving conflict and the culture of dispute/disagreements.
• Review, reflection.

Presenters:

Christoph Meinecke: medical doctor for children and youth, psychotherapist, anthroposophical medicine, founder of the Familenforum Havelhoehe, school doctor in Stuttgart and Berlin.

Cristina Meinecke: trained in curative education, experienced in anthroposophical parent education, early childhood and support for mother and child.

Kirsten Schrieber: social worker and manager, partner and family therapist, music therapist.

 

Information:

Sponsored by the Ligsma Kirpe Trust.

Dates: Tuesday 5th  July to Friday 8th July 2016 from 9.00 am-5.00 p.m.

Cost: $450 (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea included)

Venue: Sophia Mundi Steiner School, 1 St Helier’s Street, Abbotsford.

Registration: Tatjana Samson- tesamson63@gmail.com or Cheryl Nekvapil at cherylnekvapil@yahoo.com

Please join us to hear our speakers address topics of importance to anyone interested in child development. This program of Gabriel Talks is free to the community, and is held in the Phyllis Hore Room, Kew Library, Corner Civic Drive and Cotham Road Kew, at 7.30 p.m. Information: 0413 120 345

 

Monday 23^rd May, Annette Batchelor “Caring for the Sick Child at Home”

Knowing how to support our children through sickness and imbalance can turn illness into a powerful ally for child development. Annette will provide an overview of the meaning of childhood illness, sharing insights to support home care and reduce the fear and uncertainty surrounding ill health.

Annette Batchelor is an experienced Anthroposophic Naturopath currently working in the Yarra Valley.  Working with individual development in health and wellbeing, Annette has a particular interest in working with parents to support the healthy unfolding of the child.

 

 

Monday 30^th May, Paulene Hanna, “The Importance of Movement in Early Childhood”

Let us revisit the state of childhood by putting ourselves in the shoes of the energetic and inquisitive child.

In viewing the world through the child’s eyes, with freshness and without expectation, every life experience has important potential.

In discussing this topic together we can begin to understand that the child’s free exploratory activity is not only wholehearted – it involves the whole body.

The theme of our exchange will be around the child’s need for freedom of movement.

Paulene Hanna is an early childhood teaching professional who, though retired from daily teaching practice in Steiner education, is actively involved in mentoring and supporting teachers and parents. Paulene works with the challenge of an increasingly fearfully orientated community, which lacks the time and space for children generally. She supports parents to understand their children’s behaviour and to enjoy the blessings that being with children offers. Paulene is passionate about the promotion of child- initiated, free play as a means to a healthy foundation for later learning and life.

 

 

Monday 25^th July, Terri McMillan, “Technology  and its impact on early childhood development- a challenge for our times.”

Today we live in a world dominated by rapidly advancing technology. Some of us are comfortable with, and grateful for, such advances. Others of us feel overwhelmed at the pace such development has taken and struggle to keep up.

Directly and indirectly, children are being exposed to such technology , and at an earlier and earlier age. But what do we really know about the effects of technology and screen time on the well being of children? How does it impact a child’s emotional, physical, cognitive and behavioural development, influencing their capacity for creative and imaginative play? And what of the impact of screen time on family life and therefore the development of healthy human community?

Terri McMillan is a teacher of thirty years experience in a Steiner School and five years previously in the State school system. She has a strong interest in and commitment to supporting healthy child development, at a time when childhood is being shortened in a climate of consumerism and materialism.

 

 

Monday 22^nd August, Jules Ward, ‘The Art of Homemaking’

A presentation in pictures and words on the art of creating a home, that nourishes your family.

We will explore topics including:

• What are the elements that make a home?
• What does this look like in different households?
• How can we create a home life that supports the development of young children?

Jules Ward is the Playgroup leader at Little Yarra Steiner School and the founder of Little Seeds, a parent support group auspiced by the Gabriel Trust.