1. Tuning in to Kids Emotionally Intelligent Parenting A programme for parents/carers of children aged (3-9 years)

2. What is Tuning Into Kids? It is an evidence-based parenting program that focuses on the emotional connection between parents/carers and children. In particular the program teaches parents/carers skills in Emotion Coaching (Gottman et al., 1997) and Emotional Intelligence (Goleman, 1995; Mayer & Salovey, 1997)

3. Details Facilitated by Dr Sharon Okeke and Dr Orla Dunne (Lambeth Educational Psychology Service) Cost: £50 per participant Maximum group size: 12 participants

4. What does the programme involve? This is a 6 session weekly programme Suitable for parents/carers of children aged 3 -9 years Each session lasts 2 hours and involves watching video material, group discussions and exercises, role plays, reading information, and home activities where parents/carers try out different ways of responding to their child’s emotions Parents/carers are encouraged to share experiences and ideas within the group and group leaders may use these as examples to explain and teach the skills of emotion coaching

5. The programme teaches parents/carers: awareness and regulation of their own emotions and their children’s emotions to use children’s emotional experiences as an opportunity for closeness and teaching skills in assisting children to verbally label and manage their emotions skills in assisting children in problem solving to guide children’s behaviour with appropriate limits

6. Emotion Coaching 1.Become aware of the child’s emotion, especially if it is lower intensity (e.g. disappointment or frustration) 2.View emotion as an opportunity for teaching 3.Communicate your understanding and acceptance of the emotion – empathy and attunement 4.Help child use words to describe what they feel 5.If necessary help them solve problems. You may also wish to communicate that all wishes and feelings are acceptable but some behaviours are not.

7. Neuroscience Plasticity – Our brains grow and change in response to experience Horizontal integration – right and left sides of the brain working in harmony Vertical integration – brain stem, limbic system and cortex working in harmony

8. Right Brain and Left Brain

9. Hand Model of the Brain (Dr Daniel Siegel)

10. Thank You! Any questions? Contact details if you have any further queries: sokeke@lambeth.gov.uk odunne@lambeth.gov.uk