The Contented Child

Emotional Regulation (including anger/anxiety)
2018-05-07 18:30 - 21:00, 2018-03-13 09:30 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | Petham Village Hall, Church Lane, Petham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5RD, United Kingdom
EMOTIONAL REGULATION – For parents and professionals to provide support at home and in the school environment
For many children to thrive and succeed within the home and school setting, they need to have developed an ability to manage/regulate their emotions so that they are able to learn and achieve.
An original version of the intervention written by Niki Green has been successfully implemented in many local schools and Niki is now running a new enhanced version of the original program in several other Shepway schools as well as privately through The Contented Child with measured impact. The original version is being successfully run across Shepway and other districts. Delegates will have the opportunity to gain a theoretical overview of the rage/anxiety cycle and to consider the underlying reasons for a pupil’s behaviour. Delegates will be supported to identify strategies to support pupils at each of the stages of the rage/anxiety cycle and to explore the reasons for heightened anxieties/emotions.
Delegates will be provided with a resource pack to run the new enhanced 6/12 week structured intervention programme through sharing examples of effective practice.The programmes are structured to enable the pupils to develop their skills in managing their own crisis situations and to be able to reflect. Children will create a workbook and be introduced to a variety of visual supports which can be used as a management tool by parents/setting staff and enable consistency in approach. This programme can also be adapted for small group work.
Refreshments will be provided.

Emotional Regulation (including anger/anxiety)
2018-05-04 09:30 - 12:30 | West Faversham Community Centre, Bysing Wood Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7RH, United Kingdom

MISUNDERSTOOD DEFIANCE - UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORTING PDA AND ODD
2018-04-24 09:30 - 12:30 | Yoakley House, Drapers Close, Margate, Kent, CT9 4AH, United Kingdom
How do you cope when presented with a child who is persistently defiant, argumentative, irritable and presents as needing to be in control of everything – to the extent that seriously interferes with day to day life?
Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome (PDA) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are diagnoses that can describe such behaviour. This short training session seeks to explore behaviours linked to these diagnoses so that parents and professionals can have a better understanding of why and how they occur.
The course will explore the recommended strategies for supporting and ways to manage when faced with these challenging behaviours.
There will be opportunities for Q and A throughout with handouts providing links and signposting to further information for those who wish to explore further.
Refreshments are provided and there is free parking at the venue

FOETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS AWARENESS
2018-04-24 09:30 | YMCA Maidstone, Melrose Close, Cripple Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6BD, United Kingdom
‘Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioural and/or learning disabilities with lifelong implications’.
This three hour workshop will look at:
• What is FASD and how is it caused
• Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis
• How FASD affects day to day living
• Secondary conditions linked to FASD
• Growing up with FASD
• Statistics and how to prevent
Delegates will have the opportunity to have their questions answered in a relaxed atmosphere from a friendly and approachable trainer, Sharon Jackson. Free parking at the venue.

How To Run Lego Therapy Intervention
2018-04-20 13:00 - 14:45 | West Faversham Community Centre, Bysing Wood Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7RH, United Kingdom
Lego Therapy was originally developed for children with autism but brick building has been and continues to be used therapeutically with children with other social skill difficulties and communication difficulties including language impairment and social use of language. It promotes development of key communication skills, including attention and listening, vocabulary and concept development, sharing, collaboration, describing and explaining, turn taking, problem solving and conflict resolution.
The course will equip the attendees with the theory behind therapeutic brick building and Lego Therapy. It is designed to be a practical and interactive workshop for education staff and parents that covers how to set up and run therapeutic brick building sessions within the home and education settings. As part of the course there will be a practical activity, running a therapeutic brick building session. The course will equip attendees with practical advice that can be applied immediately into everyday practice. Attendees will also receive resources to support the intervention electronically after the event.
Ticket £15 per person.

Anxiety – Helping Children to Cope
2018-04-20 09:30 - 12:15 | West Faversham Community Centre, Bysing Wood Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7RH, United Kingdom
‘Anxiety is a thin stream of fears trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.’
Arthur Somers Roche
The daily pressures on our children are increasing from targets and testing in the classroom to the rise of pressure advertising and social media. For many of our children the world, or certain aspects of it, is overwhelming, complex and scary. From separation and social anxiety to performance and health anxiety, an increasing number of children now benefit from direct support to manage their worries.
This workshop will introduce you to the current thinking around children’s anxiety and move onto exploring ways to support young people to manage their anxiety more effectively. We will introduce you to visual resources and a toolbox of practical strategies that can be used within home and school.

Tickets £20 per person. Refreshments included.
FEEDBACK
‘Fantastic course – can definitely recommend and I will certainly attend more workshops on offer. Thank you for delivering a well rounded session and thank you to everyone else present. I came away feeling more informed, confident and reassured. This is probably the first time that I felt that others ‘got it’, that I wasn’t alone and it has reassured me that I am heading in the right direction with the various strategies etc. Once again, thank you for the professional delivery of the course and opportunity’

MISUNDERSTOOD DEFIANCE - UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORTING PDA AND ODD
2018-04-19 09:30 - 12:30 | Singleton Environment Centre, Wesley School Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 5LW, United Kingdom

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) AWARENESS
2018-03-28 09:30 - 12:30 | Yoakley House, Drapers Close, Margate, Kent, CT9 4AH, United Kingdom
The aim of this workshop for parents / carers is to raise awareness of ASD and how this can impact on individuals with the condition. The session provides an overview of the key characteristics of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, looks at how ASD is diagnosed and considers the wide-ranging needs of individuals with the condition at different ages. It also aims to challenge and highlight assumptions people may have about the condition and crucially, explore the strengths of ASD and celebrate the individuality and wide-ranging achievements of people with the condition. There will be opportunities for Q & A and discussion with handouts providing links and signposting to further information for those that wish to explore further.
Introduction, Notion of neuro-diversity Prevalence / Terminology
Overview of key characteristics of autism
Language and communication
Repetitive behaviours / Special interests
Sensory processing
Theory of mind / mindblindness – The Sally-Anne Test
Diagnosis
Complexity of ASD – co-occuring conditions
The changing support needs of individuals with ASD at different ages & stages
Media presentations of ASD, common assumptions & misconceptions
Gender – hidden autism
Strengths of Autism, Challenging limitations
How ASD has changed the world for the better – a focus on the achievements of people with the condition

Anxiety – Helping Children to Cope
2018-03-23 09:30 - 12:15 | Swale CVS, Central House, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4NU, United Kingdom

HOW TO RUN A MULTI-SENSORY LITERACY INTERVENTION
2018-03-23 09:30 - 12:00 | Petham Village Hall, Church Lane, Petham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5RD, United Kingdom
Have you ever wondered why a group of children do not make noticeable progress even after many hours of intervention? Perhaps these children have had years of intervention, daily reading, phonic boosters and yet they are still not achieving their potential. This course is designed for SENCOs, teachers and TA’s and will provide some answers as to why the child is not progressing and how to change this outcome.
In the UK it is thought that 1 in 10 learners have dyslexia…that’s 10% of the school population. This intervention outline will support dyslexic students as well as students with other needs such as ASD, ADHD and Dysgraphia.
Content-
Looking at reasons behind poor progress in literacy.
Designing an intervention using strengths and weaknesses.
How to use multi-sensory input and why this is important.
Lesson outlines and examples
The interventions will cover phonics, handwriting, spelling, reading and writing in context, auditory and visual memory, phonological awareness and the alphabet.

Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder
2018-03-21 09:30 - 12:30 | Singleton Environment Centre, Wesley School Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 5LW, United Kingdom
‘Sensory Processing Disorder is not the end of the world. It is the beginning of a whole new world!’
From the child who seeks out certain tastes and textures to the child who trips over every bump to the child who actively avoids touch, hypersensitivity (over responsiveness) and hypo sensitivity (under responsiveness) to sensory information can be challenging both to identify and to support.
In this short course, we will explore the complex nature of Sensory Processing Disorder, it’s inconsistencies and effective ways to support children who struggle to process everyday sensations.
Tickets are £25.00 per delegate.
Free parking is available at the venue. Refreshments included.

The A-Z of Dyslexia
2018-03-19 09:30 - 12:30 | Yoakley House, Drapers Close, Margate, Kent, CT9 4AH, United Kingdom
This course is designed for professionals as well as parents and carers with children that have literacy difficulties and possible dyslexia. It will look at what is dyslexia, what to look out for when working with your child and how to help them achieve success.
The course will also provide an over view of phonics and how this plays a large part of reading and writing success. This course is very hands on and so a camera phone will be useful to take away images of what you have seen and participated in.
Content-
What is dyslexia? Working through definitions and what to look for. Myth busting. Social and emotional costs of dyslexia. How does it feel to have dyslexia? Examples of common issues through activities.
How does memory play a large part in dyslexia? Auditory and visual memory games and activities.
What is phonics? Looking at how words and constructed and deconstructed for spelling.
How can I help at home? Reading and spelling hands on activities.
What’s next? Looking forward to assessments, specialist teaching sessions, support from school.
FEEDBACK
‘Thank you so much to Natalie, I learnt more in the last three hours about dyslexia and how to support my son than I ever thought I would. I just wish I had done the workshop sooner!
I highly recommend the workshop, it’s the best thing you can do if you suspect or know your child has dyslexia’

Refreshments included, free parking at venue.

Emotional Regulation (including anger/anxiety)
2018-03-19 09:15 - 11:15 | Warden House Primary School, Birdwood Avenue, Deal, Kent, CT14 9SF, United Kingdom
For many children to thrive and succeed within the home and school setting, they need to have developed an ability to manage/regulate their emotions so that they are able to learn and achieve.
This workshop will:
• Explain why some children have difficulties with controlling their emotions, the part the brain plays in regulating emotions
• Tell you about strategies which are likely to be more successful with your child’s difficulties
• Give examples of the use of strategies to improve behaviour and discourage inappropriate behaviour
Resources will be shared to enable you to support your child’s emotional regulation.

Discounted price available to parents of Warden House School.

STRESS REDUCTION FOR ANXIOUS TEENS
2018-03-17 14:00 - 15:30 | Petham Village Hall, Church Lane, Petham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5RD, United Kingdom
THIS WORKSHOP IS DELIVERED OVER TWO SESSIONS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO PRACTICE STRATEGIES BETWEEN SESSIONS AND REVIEW EFFECTIVENESS IN THE SECOND SESSION.
THIS WORKSHOP IS LIMITED TO 10 PARTICIPANTS TO ENSURE A SMALL GROUP, NON-THREATENING ENVIRONMENT.
Stress affects people in a number of different ways, but it is almost always challenging and exhausting. We cannot prevent all stressful factors, but we can learn ways to better prepare for them. This interactive workshop for teens will consider the effects of stress and explore the mind/body connection. Participants will learn to plan for managing stress, learn and practice methods for coping in crisis situations and begin to create their own personal toolbox of skills and strategies that can be used every day to help reduce stress.
Age 13 -19 years – an information seek form will be sent out on booking to better inform the facilitators of the issues the young person is experiencing.
TWO SESSIONS
Saturday 17 March 2pm-3.30pm and Saturday 24 March 2pm-3.30pm

'WHY DO I WORRY?', A WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN WITH ANXIETY
2018-03-17 11:00 - 12:30 | Petham Village Hall, Church Lane, Petham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5RD, United Kingdom
‘Worry is a thought, anxiety is an emotion’
This two part workshop is based loosely on our popular emotional regulation programme delivered 1-1 over six sessions. Over the two sessions, the young people will learn and experience
What is Worrying? Why do we worry?
What is happening in the brain and body when we worry?
How can I help myself with my worrying?
How can adults around me help with my worries?
Be equipped with a range of calming/coping strategies
Experience positive affirmations and self-esteem building activities to take forward
There will be practical, hands on activities as well as resources provided during both sessions and children will be able to share content of the session/s with parents/carers.
An information seek form will be sent out prior to the event to better inform the facilitator/s of the issues the young person is experiencing.
£25 per child to cover both sessions. This workshop is limited to 15 children so early booking is recommended.
Saturday 17 March 2018 and Saturday 24 March 2018 11am – 12.30pm

BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN LITERACY
2018-03-16 09:30 - 12:30 | Kent
This course is designed for professionals as well as parents and carers with children that have literacy difficulties. This course will support students with a wide range of literacy problems including dyslexia, dysgraphia, ASD and ADHD.
It will look at different issues that children may face when learning to read and write, what to look out for, the reason behind common issues and how to help the child/children achieve success. The course will also provide a wide range of strategies that can be used in school and home. This course is very hands on and so a camera phone will be useful to take away images of what you have seen and participated in.
Content- The process of reading and writing and pinpointing where common issues occur.
How working memory plays a large part in reading and writing.
What is phonics? Looking at how words and constructed and deconstructed for spelling.
How does a multi-sensory approach help overcome learning problems.
Overcoming problems with: handwriting, phonics, spelling, ideas, phonological awareness and confidence. This section looks at the problem, gives examples of what it looks and feels like, and strategies to overcome the problem.
What’s next? Looking forward to assessments and learner profiles, specialist teaching sessions, support from school.

Understanding the Teenage Brain
2018-03-14 09:30 - 12:30 | Yoakley House, Drapers Close, Margate, Kent, CT9 4AH, United Kingdom
The brain is the last organ in the body to mature, so while post-puberty, teenagers can often look and act like adults, the way their brain works is entirely different. This has its benefits, but can also be problematic and frustrating.
This short course looks at the key differences in the teenage / adult brain to help parents and professionals understand why some teenage behaviours and responses to situations can be so challenging. In enabling understanding, the course will help participants to connect with teenagers in a positive way.
Participants will learn a range of practical strategies and develop confidence in how to support children through their difficult teenage years.

HOW TO RUN A MULTI-SENSORY LITERACY INTERVENTION
2018-03-09 09:30 - 12:00 | St Margaret’s Village Hall, Reach Road, St Margaret's at Cliffe, Dover, Kent, CT15 6AP, United Kingdom
Have you ever wondered why a group of children do not make noticeable progress even after many hours of intervention? Perhaps these children have had years of intervention, daily reading, phonic boosters and yet they are still not achieving their potential. This course is designed for SENCOs, teachers and TAs and will provide some answers as to why the child is not progressing and how to change this outcome.
In the UK it is thought that 1 in 10 learners have dyslexia…that’s 10% of the school population. This intervention outline will support dyslexic students as well as students with other needs such as ASD, ADHD and Dysgraphia.
Content-
Looking at reasons behind poor progress in literacy.
Designing an intervention using strengths and weaknesses.
How to use multi-sensory input and why this is important.
Lesson outlines and examples
The interventions will cover phonics, handwriting, spelling, reading and writing in context, auditory and visual memory, phonological awareness and the alphabet.

Autism and Girls - The Hidden Gender
2018-03-08 09:30 - 12:30 | Yoakley House, Drapers Close, Margate, Kent, CT9 4AH, United Kingdom
‘Are parents and professionals missing the signs of autism in girls?’ (Kate Reynolds)
Autism is often described as the ‘exaggerated male brain’ and certainly there is prevalence in diagnosis with current National Autistic Society figures showing that only 1 in 4 diagnoses are female. Is this really an accurate picture though? Are boys really more susceptible to this condition?
In this course, we explore why autism is different for girls, the gender issues within diagnostic methods and the issues with gender bias even post diagnosis. We will look at the particular characteristics presenting within girls as well as female friendly strategies for dealing with big issues such as puberty.

Anxiety – Helping Children to Cope
2018-03-06 09:30 - 12:15 | St Margaret’s Village Hall, Reach Road, St Margaret's at Cliffe, Dover, Kent, CT15 6AP, United Kingdom

Anxiety – Helping Children to Cope
2018-03-05 09:15 - 11:15 | Warden House Primary School, Birdwood Avenue, Deal, Kent, CT14 9SF, United Kingdom
‘Anxiety is a thin stream of fears trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.’
Arthur Somers Roche
The daily pressures on our children are increasing from targets and testing in the classroom to the rise of pressure advertising and social media. For many of our children the world, or certain aspects of it, is overwhelming, complex and scary. From separation and social anxiety to performance and health anxiety, an increasing number of children now benefit from direct support to manage their worries.
This workshop will introduce you to the current thinking around children’s anxiety and move onto exploring ways to support young people to manage their anxiety more effectively. We will introduce you to visual resources and a toolbox of practical strategies that can be used within home and school.

Tickets £20 per person. Discounted for parents of Warden House Primary School, code available from school.
FEEDBACK
‘Fantastic course – can definitely recommend and I will certainly attend more workshops on offer. Thank you for delivering a well rounded session and thank you to everyone else present. I came away feeling more informed, confident and reassured. This is probably the first time that I felt that others ‘got it’, that I wasn’t alone and it has reassured me that I am heading in the right direction with the various strategies etc. Once again, thank you for the professional delivery of the course and opportunity’

Understanding the Teenage Brain
2018-02-27 09:30 - 12:30 | Petham Village Hall, Church Lane, Petham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5RD, United Kingdom

Anxiety – Helping Children to Cope
2018-02-27 09:30 - 12:30 | War Memorial, Capel, New Dover Road, Capel le Ferne, Folkestone, Kent, CT18 7JJ, United Kingdom

How To Run Lego Therapy Intervention
2018-02-26 13:00 - 14:45 | YMCA Maidstone, Melrose Close, Cripple Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6BD, United Kingdom

Anxiety – Helping Children to Cope
2018-02-26 09:30 - 12:15 | YMCA Maidstone, Melrose Close, Cripple Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6BD, United Kingdom

Emotional Regulation (including anger/anxiety)
2018-02-23 09:30 - 12:30 | St Margaret’s Village Hall, Reach Road, St Margaret's at Cliffe, Dover, Kent, CT15 6AP, United Kingdom

Autism and Girls - The Hidden Gender
2018-02-22 09:30 - 12:30 | Petham Village Hall, Church Lane, Petham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5RD, United Kingdom

ADHD Awareness
2018-02-21 09:30 - 12:30 | Yoakley House, Drapers Close, Margate, Kent, CT9 4AH, United Kingdom
The aim of this short training session for teachers and parents is to raise awareness of the key symptoms and related issues of ADHD. The session considers the impact ADHD can have on both individuals with the condition and on people around them and the challenges this can bring. We shall also introduce strategies to support young people to manage their behaviour.
There will be opportunities for Q & A throughout with handouts providing links and signposting to further information for those that wish to explore further.
Cost £25 per person. Free parking at the venue.

How To Run Lego Therapy Intervention
2018-02-20 13:00 - 14:45 | Swale CVS, Central House, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4NU, United Kingdom
Lego Therapy was originally developed for children with autism but brick building has been and continues to be used therapeutically with children with other social skill difficulties and communication difficulties including language impairment and social use of language. It promotes development of key communication skills, including attention and listening, vocabulary and concept development, sharing, collaboration, describing and explaining, turn taking, problem solving and conflict resolution.
The course will equip the attendees with the theory behind therapeutic brick building and Lego Therapy. It is designed to be a practical and interactive workshop for education staff and parents that covers how to set up and run therapeutic brick building sessions within the home and education settings. As part of the course there will be a practical activity, running a therapeutic brick building session. The course will equip attendees with practical advice that can be applied immediately into everyday practice. Attendees will also receive resources to support the intervention electronically after the event.
Ticket £15 per person. Refreshments included.
