Links to The Shine Bright Way: keeping the joy, every moment matters, collaborative generative thinking.
Quality areas
5.1 Relationships between educators and children – respectful and equitable relationships are maintained with each child.
5.2 Relationships between children – each child is supported to build and maintain sensitive and responsive relationships (5.2.1 collaborative learning and 5.2.2 self regulation).
Description
Circle Time is a structured framework for small group interaction that supports social emotional learning. Components include: Professional development, observation, modelling and team reflection. Educators will be supported to reflect on their current practices and encouraged to introduce Circle framework components to support children’s agency and voice. Shifting this Circle Time approach to a small group format will allow more discussion, less waiting time and more engagement with children; power ‘with’ approach. Combining art making as a focus during Circle Time will support emotional development, social connections and overall positive wellbeing.
Reference
Circle Solutions is both a philosophy for healthy relationships and a positive pedagogy for learning them. It is based on research evidence found in the fields of resilience, positive psychology and neuroscience. The framework can be used in many different ways and for all ages from young children to adult. Circle sessions establish understanding, values and behaviours for learning to be and learning to live together that are reinforced outside these sessions in schools and community contexts. ASPIRE and Circle Solutions – Growing Great Schools Worldwide
Thoughts from Educators
I have found this to be an excellent program and here are some of the reasons why;-
• Amelia has inspired us to use art as a group experience. I have been amazed at how the children can work together, take turns, respect each other’s work, and extend on the ideas of the individuals and/or the group.
• I have been teaching for a long time and it has been refreshing to get some new ideas and ways to conduct group times (circle time), utilising the opportunity to reflect on emotions through literature and art.
I would highly recommend getting involved in the program through SRF.
Julie (Shamrock Park)
Package costing
1 x 1 hour for PD introduction
1 x ½ hour for Reflection survey at conclusion
2 x 1 hour Observation sessions
5 x 1 hour Modelling sessions (undertaken in session, no backfill/additional hours required)
Total cost of Shine Bright Allied Health professional = $2,450
Plus staff backfill/additional hours = 1.5 hours per staff member