Group Leader Training Workshop

 

You're Invited!

 

 

Group Leader Training Workshop

 

Register your place now

 

Saturday 25th May 2013 at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

Registration and Membership Packs @ 1:30

Welcome Packs with Manual, Membership and Introduction

- Claire Whyte

 

Training Session @ 2-3pm

Manual on CD-ROM

Using your manual 'Teaching Hometrain Social Skills Groups'
- Claire Whyte

Running Social Skills Groups
- with talks from Group Leaders and Support Staff.

Questions and Answers

Practical Workshop @ 3-4pm

1st Event of the Group Leaders Network!

'Social Skills Activities for Groups'

Group Leaders will work together creating activities for Social Skills Groups, covering a range of topics suitable for different ages and abilities. All materials provided.

 

Presentation of Activities.

 

There will be time for more Q's and A's after 4pm, and a small selection of toys and equipment available for Group Leaders: free to take for use in their groups.

 

Saturday 25th May 2013 at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

 

Registration Fee is €150 - includes Training, 1 year's Membership to the Group Leader's Network, the Group Leader Manual 'Teaching Hometrain Social Skills Groups'

 

Important: Closing Date for Registration is 3rd May

Register your place now



 

More about the benefits of becoming a Group Leader: http://www.hometrain.ie/leaders/

More about Hometrain Social Skills Groups: http://www.hometrain.ie/group/



10 FAQ's about being a Group Leader

Hi – I’ve been meeting up with and chatting to many of you who are planning to be Group Leaders for Social Skills Groups.

Here are 10 FAQ’s that I have come across, and might be useful to read:

 

About being a Group Leader:

1)      What does the €150 fee include? The €150 covers your training workshop, the manual ‘Teaching Hometrain Social Skills Groups’ and a year’s membership as a Group Leader.

2)      Do we pay Hometrain anything else – i.e. from our takings/income from our groups? No, once you have bought your manual and membership, you do not pay us a cent from your income. The Group Leader is responsible for the finances of their own groups.

3)      What is the next year’s membership? The following year’s membership is just €50.

4)      What does membership include? Posting your information, and advertising of your group and news on our website. Having an @hometrain.ie   email address for parents and other group leaders to contact you. Also having the support of the Group Leaders network, including Claire Whyte, Groups Co-ordinator to help you set up and run your groups.

Membership also includes regular additional teaching resources on our Pinterest boards, and via emails from Claire. This will include arts and crafts, seasonal events and network events. The free resources on our website are always available.http://www.hometrain.ie/resources/

5)      What about insurance? We have a deal with our insurance company to provide public liability insurance for groups at a small fee to Group Leaders. This is yet to be confirmed, but possibly around €50.

6)      Are there any other resources available to us as Group Leaders? Yes, there are plenty of paper resources in the manual that you print from the CD-ROM. We have a small amount of games, puzzles, sports equipment and toys that can be shared out on 25^th May to groups that need it. The equipment will be brought back the following year and exchanged with other Group Leaders.

7)      Can I set up more Groups? Yes, once you have the manual, you have curriculums for 3 different groups. You can have as many groups as you feel you can manage. Some Group Leaders take on others to help if they have more children than they can teach.

8)      Will there be any other Hometrain Groups in my county? The first person to organise a group is important to us, and any other Group Leaders in the same county will be given the option to either: 1) Set up their group in a different area  or 2) Join forces with the existing Group Leader, developing the service provided with a new group, possibly in a different age category. Groups are listed by County: http://www.hometrain.ie/group/

9)      What happens after 25^th May? All new groups leaders then get their @hometrain.ie address, and their groups are advertised straight away. Claire will then link in with each of you to help in any way and we have the summer months to get you ready to start in September.

10)   Can I have the manual now? No, it’s preferable to wait until 25^th May when it’s presented. Most of your questions will be answered on 25^th and it’s better that all new Group Leaders get the same information at the same time.  Claire is available from now to meet and discuss  running groups, and to answer any questions you have.

For more about becoming a Group Leader: http://www.hometrain.ie/leaders/

To book your place and pre-order the manual 'Teaching Hometrain Social Skills Groups': https://www.hometrain.ie/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=81

About the Manual 'Teaching Hometrain Social Skills Groups'

I am so delighted that this May 25th, we launch this manual which is a definitive guide for all our Group Leaders. It begins with how to set up your groups, how to use the 3 curriculums, with activities and resources for each section.

As the Groups Co-ordinator, my role is to support Group Leaders in setting up and running their groups, providing and sourcing information, and developing the Group Leaders Network.

It was my job to write and research the manual. I have year's of experience in groupwork of different kinds, across a wide cross-section of the community, and Hometrain Social Skills Groups have been running for four years. We have a great reputation among parents, and have referals to our service from HSE and Enable Ireland.

In order to replicate our groups in other areas, I wanted the manual to be practical - a 1-stop-shop for our Group Leaders - and to include everything I needed to run a group elsewhere.
The contents page includes:

Introduction and Contents:

How to set up your groups.

Ideas and protocol for planning your groups.

Section 1:

Curriculum outlines and activities for pre-schoolers 3-5 years.

Curriculum outlines and activities for Pre-School 3-5 years

Section 2:
Curriculum outlines and activities for 6-9 years.

Curriculum outlines and activities for 6-9 years 4

Section 3:

Curriculum outlines and activities for pre-teens 10-13 years. 5

 

 

 

Then also: 

1) Undesired behaviours - how to work with different behaviours effectively in a group setting.

2) Writing reports - what to include, what not to include, how to write and evaluate. 1

3) Keeping records - which record to keep and for how long.. 1

4) Staff and finances - finding and working with support staff, organising payment. . 1

5) Networking with other members - how to get invloved, share your ideas, exeriences and good resources.. 1

6) Administration Forms and Useful Resources - Everything you need to help set up, print and run your groups! Posters, Code of Conduct and Mission Statement are all here.

There are also useful sections on Play and Groupwork.

The manual has been created on a CD, so Group Leaders can print all admin and resources straight away, and not have to spend hours photocopying. It also means that updates can be added easily - such as further programmes, resources and Summer Camps.

I am sure Group Leaders will enjoy the manual - 'Teaching Hometrain Social Skills Groups' - it does exaclty what it says on the cover!

Any further information about our manual and how to become a Group Leader can be found at: http://www.hometrain.ie/leaders/
 1

Group Leaders Network - Social Skills Groups

We are looking for New Group Leaders Nationwide to start their own groups! Could this be you?

Hometrain's Social Skills Groups are play-based communication and social skills groups for children. They are for 3-5's 6-9's and 10-13's - (10-13's is a new, drama based curriculum)

The 25th May, 2013 is our first National Network and Training Event, where we will be launching our Manual 'Teaching Hometrain Social Skills Groups' - which covers everything you need to know about starting and running your groups, including curriculums for 3-5's, 6-9's and 10-13's.
It also includes all admin forms, advice and information for starting a group.
All new groups will be supported and advertised free on our website - where parents go to find groups in their area. Group Leaders also get their own @hometrain.ie address, so people contact you with this email and it helps keeps your group life seperate from your real life!

The Manual

1st Group Leader event is 25th May 2013

At 25th May Workshop, will cover all aspects of running your own group, you will meet other new Group Leaders and listen to our existing Group Leaders talk about their groups.
We will introduce the Group Leaders Network, and how to share interesting info with others and use our Pinterest Boards


To pre-order your manual, your first year's Group Leader Membership and attend the workshop in Dublin on 25th May please go here.

The reason for th network and the manual together is that I started groups four years ago, and appropriate resources were few and far between, and I made many of my own. The Programmes of Activities make up much of the curriculums here in the manual, and the resources and printables back up all the teaching. As a Group Leader, you will undoubtedly have your own resources to add - which is great!

Group Leaders will be invited to use, and post items of interest on the relevant boards, i.e. found a great colouring page for your group? You pin the link to the colouring page board for everyone else to use. Had a great idea for a game? Pin up the idea on the Teaching Social Skills board.
The Pinterest boards are:

1. Teaching Social Skills
2. Colouring Pages
3. Arts and Crafts
4. Everything else!

You can view these now at our Group Leader page: http://www.hometrain.ie/leaders/

The Group Leaders will meet every year to develop the network, meet and discuss ideas, and get to know each other professionally.
It's going to be great!

Please contact me for a chat about any aspect of our groups/leaders: info@hometrain.ie

Claire.

How to Ask For Help!

Q 1) When did you last ask for help?
I mean really, actually ask for help.

Not 'Help me unload the dishwasher' or 'Help me put the shopping away' but real pratical help.

And by help I mean any time you need help- help with work, business, ideas, housework, life, anything.

Q 2) When could it have been better if you just braved it and asked?
If you picked up the phone and asked.

I've a husband, a business, four kids (including baby twins) a new iPhone app to market, and a heap of other stuff to do.
We're all trying to do well in business, and have access to a wealth of great contacts and networks, but we often miss out on a major FREEBIE - HELP and ADVICE!
This year I've had to LEARN to ask for help to manage home life and business....not in my nature. But by doing this, (admitting I'm not super-human) I realised that people have been delighted to be asked, I've a better business, closer friends and I am more human as a result of picking up the phone!
Here's 5 reasons why and how:

1) Networking - Linkedin, Facebook etc look at the people around you in business. If you see their profile, and wonder how everyone else is doing great, you'd be mistaken. We are all in the same (or similar) boats. Be freindly and polite, do ask for advice and help, but respect people's time also.

2) Asking for help is not admitting inability, defeat or failure - it is normal. Anyone still in business right now deserves the right to ask for help and advice!

3) Friends and associates like to be asked, asking people for help and advice shows you value their opinion.

4) Fortune favours the brave! Call someone regardless of their position, (this takes courage if you don't know them). If they can't help you, they might know someone who can point you in the right direction.

5) Pride comes before a fall! Don't miss out on an opportunity to get your idea realised because you didn't ask for help with it.

P.S. I need some marketing advice/help.....anyone know how to increase app sales without trawling around for reviewers?? You may as well offer me help......I'll probably be ringing you anyway.
http://www.hometrain.ie/gth/

Claire.





 

Experiencing Out-Patients Dept - Using the Hospital App

A visit to Hospital out-patients with a child is an experience that many parents dread.

It conjures up images of bustling waiting areas, children who are hot, thirsty, hungry, bored and tired wrestling in and out of their parent's arms, parent's are trying to mangage, possibly with siblings in tow.
Add in the anxiety of the child going for a procedure - plus the anxiety of the parent who is about to deal with the anxiety of the child going for a procedure - and hey presto - you have a life experience waiting to unfold!

How can you make life a little easier for you and your child?

   1. Prepare. A little preparation goes a long way. Talk about what is going to happen, the Hospital environment, and ask your child how they feel (Pain scales in our app are good for this, and can be used to determine how your child feels about their Hospital visit). You can print Hospital colouring pages from our website: http://www.hometrain.ie/gth/



play hospital at home

  
  2. Decide a coping strategy beforehand:
 After preparing your child, decide with them how they can learn to cope with their procedure - ideas and games are all in the Going to Hospital iPhone app, and help children learn how to stay calm, take medicine, cope with discomfort and painful experiences. The Going to Hospital app includes a relaxation lesson for deep breathing (this has been tried and tested!) and a guided imagery story called 'The Magic Flower' - both of these you can listen to straight from the Going to Hospital app, and they really work!

      3. Distraction - Do it! - Learn about distraction in the Parent Info section of the app. Once you have your preparation and coping plan, use the games on the app (or your own games) to distract and entertain your child during their wait and during a procedure. The game 'Counting Sheep' is a great way to count and distract - you can read an account of using this below.

Read a parent's account of using the iPhone app 'Going to Hospital':



Going to Hospital App

"I used the Hospital app with my daughter today, she was to have a blood test and an X-Ray. We looked at the app last night and I read the information on how to prepare her. We talked about going which is something I wouldn't normally do in case she got upset and refused to go! It went well and she looked at her age-group section which she could read and relate to.
We decided to play the quizzes in the waiting area and the counting sheep during her blood test.
When we got to the hospital, there was not too long to wait, she listened to the relaxation story. We talked about the story together afterwards - what her animal was and which food she gave him. My daughter especially liked the flower in the story.
X-Ray went well and then to the blood test area! ...I could see my daughter was worried and we looked at the app again, making sure we had the sheep game ready. We estimated if she counted 20 sheep, then the blood test would be over.
My daughter was anxious, and she sat on my knee. I held her left arm (the one having the blood test) with my left hand and my phone in my right hand. She didn't enjoy the blood test, but she was able to sit tight and count the sheep - we counted 12 and the test was finished!
As we walked back to the car she said - 'That hurt, but I was SO much better than last time, I didn't even cry!'


Practising the Counting Sheep game before a blood test

We enjoyed using the app and I think that preparing her helped."
A Parent.









'Going to Hospital' is available on iTunes, you can view it and download here: http://www.hometrain.ie/gth/

 

Why Prepare Kids for Hospital?

'Im H A P-P Y - I know I am, I'm Sure I am' - Remember that theme tune? 'Only When I Laugh' was made during 1979 - the pre-political-correctness period of comedy broadcasting - it was great.
The title was of course the answer to the question 'Does it hurt?'

Back then, children going to hospital were separated  from their parents, put in mixed wards with adults and with little or no toys.
Thankfully now, we understand and respect the needs and rights of children. We understand how and what helps children cope better. We work towards creating opportunities to provide information, play preparation and play facilities in most Children's Hospitals and wards.

As a Hospital Play or Child Life Specialist, I have from time to time, seen families shy away from preparing their child for surgery or an invasive procedure. Our role on a ward is to meet with families, discuss our role, and explain the part play preparation has for their child.
So when you're asked by a famliy to not be involved, that they will handle how their child is prepared ( or not) we respect their wishes. After this  happened (only a handfull of times, thank God) some of the post-procedure difficulties these families experience included:

• Loss of trust - child refused to look at or talk to parents.
• Fear of hospital staff - as the child wasn't prepared, anyone coming into the room could be assumed was taking them for surgery or to cause pain or harm.
• Loss of apetite - child can refuse to eat.
• Fear of post-op medication - child can refuse to take medicine.

The Benefits of Preparation:
If your child knows what to expect (if they are prepared), they are more likely to be co-operative, cope better and gain a sense of achievement. They will be more trusting and feel safer.
Preparation gives children a sense of control.
You can help prepare your child at home before you visit the hospital, we created the 'Going to Hospital iPhone app to help you do this. You can also use books and play 'hospital' with a play doctor kit with teddies and dolls.
Going to hospital is one of life's challenges - help your child begin the journey of mastering this challenge.



The other reasons we created the Going to Hospital app were to:

• Help children cope with pain, with relaxation techniques, guided imagery relaxation story and pain scale
• Advice and tips to encourage children of all ages to take medicine
• Practical information for parents
• Distraction game and distraction techniques for painful or uncomfortable procedures
• Activities and colouring pages

You can view the app details, print a poster and colouring pages here:
http://www.hometrain.ie/gth/
or scan the QR code below: