At times all parents feel lost or wonder what their child might need from them. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security® Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.
Using the COSP™ model developed by the Circle of Security originators, your trained Facilitator works with parents and care-givers to help them:
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Understand and become closer to their child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs
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Support their child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
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Enhance the development of their child's self esteem
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Honour the innate wisdom and desire for their child to be secure
Circle of Security Parenting™ is taught in small groups. The course is delivered once a week over 8 weeks. Each class is 2 hours long for a total of 16 hours.
Each session includes handouts, videos, small group discussions, personal reflection, and time for questions. Each class session builds on the previous class sessions, so it is important that participants attend all sessions to get the most out of the course. The class is appropriate for mothers, fathers, step-parents, grandparents, or any adult who is caring for a child.
Program Summary
The COS program is group-based: Parents will participate in 2 hour group meetings once a week for 8 weeks with at least 4-10 other parents.
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Week 1: Welcome to Circle of Security Parenting
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Week 2: Exploring Our Children’s Needs All the Way Around the Circle
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Week 3: “Being ‘With’ on the Circle”
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Week 4: Being with Infants on the Circle
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Week 5: The Path to Security
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Week 6: Exploring Our Struggles
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Week 7: Rupture and Repair in Relationships
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Week 8: Summary and Celebration
The program is meant for all parents: Biological parents, grandparents, adoptive parents, and foster parents can benefit from this program. Many themes discussed in the COS can be applied to a variety of different contexts and additionally can provide a window into some adult behaviours.
The program is based on enhancing strengths. The COS is non-judgmental and helps parents find their inner strengths to deal effectively with their children.
Gillian is a certified COS Facilitator.