Wonderful Opportunity for Cork Members

We are delighted to announce an inaugural additional needs support programme facilitated by Lucy Connolly, Marte Meo Colleague Trainer.

This is a wonderful opportunity for five Early Childhood Ireland member services based in Cork to participate in the Marte Meo Supportive Interactions for children with additional needs programme.

The aim of the programme is to assist early years educators to support children with additional needs. The programme will focus on one child with additional needs in each service. The additional need may consist of learning, developmental or speech delays, behavioural or emotional issues or relate to a particular condition, such as ADD/ADHD or Autism.

Programme Description

The programme will begin with all five participating services attending an introduction session followed by 4 on-site visits to each individual service. During these visits, short films, (max. 4 minutes) will be made of the child in naturally occurring daily interaction moments with adults and other children. These films will then be reviewed only with staff of the individual services. Through video analysis Lucy will confirm the existing interactions that are already supporting the child and suggest other communication strategies that will further activate the child’s development. The format of the review sessions will be negotiated with the individual service.

As the film clips may include other children in the room parental permission for all children in the room will be required. Participating services will be issued with a permission letter for parents.

The programme will commence in early October and will be delivered over a three month period.

Selection Criteria

• The service must have one at least one child with an additional need currently attending their service.

• Staff must be willing to attend the introduction session, be filmed working with the child, attend on-site reviews and commit to trying new strategies to support the child with additional needs.

• The location of the services interested will be considered in the selection process.

How to apply

Closing date for receipt of expression of interest is 30th September, 2014