Tirussew Teferra, Professor Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia March,2012 Mediaional Intervention For Sensitizing Caregivers [MISC ] Mediaional Intervention For Sensitizing Caregivers [MISC ]

MISC MIC [ More Intelligent Child ] MIC [ More Intelligent Child ] MISC [Process ] Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers MISC [Process ] Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers MISC [Objective] More Intelligent and Sensitive Child MISC [Objective] More Intelligent and Sensitive Child

Theoretical Foundation Theory of Mediated Learning Experience [ Feuerstein R, Pnina Klein 1990, Klein, P.S & Rye Henning 2004, Sameroff and Fiese,2000] Promoting Quality Interaction Assumptions : Child’s World Assumptions : Child’s World –Unplanned –Undifferentiated –Unfocussed

MISC cont… The child needs an adult to convey, interpret, analyze and understand his/her world.  Open inning the appetite]  Leads to discovery of learning World World Adult Child

MISC cont…  Objectives of the MISC  Promoting Quality Interaction  Contextualizing Child Rearing (Identification of the Socio- cultural Child Rearing practices),  Creating Expressive Affective Communication  Improve parents perceptions of the child &  Enhancing Whole Child Development.

“YES-Cycle” “YES-Cycle” CHILD CAREGIVER giver

“NO-CYCLE” CHILD CREGIVER Little eye contact

Cycles of Interaction Yes – Cycle Body contact Body contact Eye contact Eye contact Smiling face Smiling face Responding the child’s behavior Responding the child’s behavior Following the child’s lead Following the child’s lead Turning-taking /sharing of feelings) Turning-taking /sharing of feelings) No-cycle Lack of sensitivity Lack of sensitivity No turn-taking No turn-taking No exchange of emotions No exchange of emotions Commands and shouts Commands and shouts Little eye-contact Little eye-contact No follow up to the child’s initiatives No follow up to the child’s initiatives

MISC Principles  Focusing (Drawing attention)  Mediation of Meaning/Naming  Transcendence/ Expansion  Mediation of Feelings Competence  Mediation of Regulation of behavior

Application of MISC Principles Focusing (Catching the Child's Attention) Focusing (Catching the Child's Attention) –Intentionality & Reciprocity –Turn-taking –Eye Contact –Positioning Insights : Verbal and nonverbal/physical contact See it ! Taste it !, Touch! Hold it ! Smell it ! Listen !

Application of MISC Principles Mediation of Meaning Mediation of Meaning –Naming & expressing affect –Identifying surrounding objects, animals, plants, flowers –Situations for mediation bathing, feeding walking etc Insights : Appreciation, admiration, exaggeration, changing the intonation of voice and astonishment, changing of pitch and volume It is nice ! I like it very much! It is beautiful! Smile ! It is nice ! I like it very much! It is beautiful! Smile !

Application of MISC Principles Transcendence/Expansion Transcendence/Expansion –Going beyond the concrete experience, –Connecting and explaining –Clarification of processes –Discuss about things not seen and heard –Relate the present to the past and the future Insights: Identification of relevant themes for discussion. Why questions !

Application of MISC Principles Mediation of feelings of Competence Mediation of feelings of Competence –Expression of satisfaction or recognition in response to the task accomplished in good timing –Reinforcing with explanation Insights: Verbal and Nonverbal Great ! Fine ! Well done ! Clapping of hands ! Smiling!

Application of MISC Principles Regulation of behavior Regulation of behavior –Organizing and Planning –Planning before acting (reflective thinking) –Clarifying interests and goals –Matching ability to task –Managing the level of energy Insights : How ? When? Where ? Sequencing of steps !

Whole Child Development Social Emotional Physical Motor Cognitive Language

Discussion Points 1. Compare and contrast the behaviors of children brought-up in a No-Cycle and a Yes-Cycle behave ? Give examples of the respective child rearing scenarios. 2. Compare and contrast the behaviors of children brought-up with out and with a feeling of competence behave ? Give examples how parents and teachers practice these at home and at school. 3. How do you think children brought-up without understanding their surrounding [with out meaning] behave ? Give examples how parents can assist children to make meaning out of their environment.

Discussion Points cont… 4. How do you think children who have no idea beyond the concrete experience would behave ? Identify strategies how parents can promote children’s learning beyond their concrete environment. 5. Discuss how do children brought-up with and without regulation of behavior behave ? Give examples how mothers or caregivers can promote regulation of behaviors.

Implications OF THE MISC PROGRAM 1. Extension of the program to different settings (preschools, primary schools, child care institutions & rehabilitation centers etc.) 2. Incorporation of Mediation framework in ECCE and teacher education programs. 3. Endorsement of MISC/ ICDP by WHO

Thank You !!