SRF Program

Connect with Me is an evidence based professional development that empowers educators to activate the social and emotional learning of children in their service. This is achievable by making the most of everyday interactions through purposeful, attuned connection and intentional teaching.

Connect with Me program options have been developed to contribute to four key developmental domains that are both individually and collectively essential to a child's social and emotional development over the lifespan.

Developmental Domains:

• Emotional Literacy and Regulation.
• Social Awareness and Relationships.
• Confidence, Sense of Self and Self Worth (the Internal Working Model).
• Positive Mental Health (mental agility, resilience, and an ability to cope).

Connect with Me programs are informed by an evidence-based learning framework which guides the learning of six easy to understand and 'hold in mind' practices. The program is informed by Marte Meo methods of supportive communication, underpinned by principles of Theraplay®/Sunshine circles® and grounded in attachment theory, brain based learning and neuroscience developmental research.

The delivery of professional development is flexible and can be accessed in a variety of program options to meet the needs of your service.

 The SELF Practices:

• Following – be in the child's world, notice their ideas (I am important, my ideas are important, others are interested in me, the world is enjoyable).
• Linking & Lifting up Social information – develop children's skills to notice the intentions and actions of others (other people are predictable and enjoyable, I can see the world of other people, I am part of a bigger picture).
• Positive Leading – lead the child through new tasks and ideas. Support them step by step. (I am capable and competent; the world is interested in my skills).
• Co-regulation – be with the child through all the emotions (I am not alone with my emotions, adults are safe and will help me, others will be loving and responsive, the world is containing).
• Signposting for Success – help children to understand boundaries and guide them towards pro-social decisions. (I am worth keeping safe, I am worthy).
• Sunshine Circles® – activate the child's development through the power of purposeful play (activate my natural social engagement system so I can explore my world, I can see joy therefore I must be joyful).

Flexible learning options provide a platform for the translation of key practices critical to achieving the four developmental outcomes. These can be accessed through the following programs:

Option 1 - E-Learning Package: includes 5 self-paced e-learning modules that provide a comprehensive introduction to the key concepts of Connect with Me through interactive content, videos, animations, evidence articles and printable handouts.

Option 2 - Concepts Class: provides an overview of the evidence and practices to nurture and improve social and emotional development in children. The 2-hour program covers the Connect with Me foundational content in a face-to-face or online meeting platform.

Option 3 - Group or Individual Mentoring: Mentoring is an effective evidence based reflective approach used to enhance or develop individual practice or work towards improving team pedagogy. Video Interaction Guidance is used by trained mentors to facilitate a safe and empowering reflective practice experience, with a focus on identifying opportunities to activate the child's social and emotional development. Videos are reviewed in each mentoring session, drawing on observations from peers and developing collective practices, or to support the individual educators to focus and develop intentional teaching practices to achieve children's developmental outcomes.