Teens & Toddlers
Curriculum

SYLABUS

UNIT 1 - INDUCTION OF TEENS

The purpose of this first session is for us to get to know each other and begin to build our group as a safe and trustworthy learning community, for you to get to know what the Teens & Toddlers project is about and introduce you to the nursery and little people. There will also be some consent forms to fill out.

UNIT 2 - WHAT IS A TODDLER?

The purpose of this Unit is to explore the definition of a ?toddler?, to understand the developmental milestones ? important stages and factors in child development - in order to know better how to be with toddlers and children. This will foster ?parenting skills? as well.  We also will develop an empathetic idea of what it means to be small and relatively powerless.

UNIT 3 - CARING AND COMMUNICATING

The purpose of this session is to establish the basics of effective communications with toddlers.  This will enhance communication skills for all relationships as well.  We will also learn about the life stage, ?body being? that a toddler is primarily identified with to learn the postures and ?body language? which support good communication and relationships.

UNIT 4 - SELF-VALUING AND SELF ASSERTION

It is an aim of Teens & Toddlers to empower young people to learn to modify their own anger responsiveness and moral reasoning and to express their anger in more appropriate and acceptable ways. We will discuss negotiating, an appreciation of differences, dealing appropriately with accusations and responding effectively to failure, teasing, rejection or anger.
 
  UNIT 5 - CONSCIOUS CONTRACEPTION 
 
This Unit will look at relationships in general, and sexual relationships specifically.  It aims to investigate the many issues involved in sexual relationships: the pressures, the desires, the misinformation and the importance of contraception.  How does a teenager determine what is right for him or her self?  Our primary needs in relationships: the need for love and the need for self assertion or affirmation lie at the bottom of much of our behaviour.  This Unit will address these fundamental relational energies.  We will also have an overview of STDs and HIV awareness.

UNIT 6 - THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTING

The purpose of this session is to begin to explore the importance of parenting as well as the skills of parenting.  We will also introduce the idea that preparing for conception is possibly the most important act a parent will make.  This will include developing an understanding of the value of fathers both in a child?s life and in relationship with the mother.  Preparation for conception and understanding the importance of good parenting needs to happen on many levels: the quality of the relationship between the father/mother, the physical and emotional health of both mother and father and their life situation and circumstances.

UNIT 7 - HUMAN POTENTIAL

The purpose of this session is to explore human potential ? to recognise that we can aspire towards our potential in a realistic way.  To use the writing of a resume as a tool for self-examination and to develop an objective sense of yourself and your fellow students.  Who are you and who would you like to be?  To also explore how we can have an impact on a toddlers development of their potential, by exploring the impact of the environment and child-rearing styles on a toddler.  To begin to learn how to be with toddlers.

UNIT 8 - CONSCIOUS CONCEPTION

This Unit aims to introduce the physiological aspects of conception and pregnancy, beginning with fertilisation and moving through nine months of foetal growth.  The damaging effects of drugs, alcohol and environmental toxins is a paramount concern for a pregnant woman.  This Unit explores the latest scientific research on how remarkably intelligent a growing foetus is and how the parent?s emotions, thoughts and actions impact the baby?s physical and emotional health.

UNIT 9 - THE SCIENCE OF CHILDBIRTH

The purpose of this unit is to study the pros and cons of various interventions used during childbirth: epidural, episiotomy, labor induction, and cesarean birth.  In addition we will explore the impact upon both mother and child.  We will also discuss the debates of circumcision.  This unit focuses on building understanding and awareness of the possible dangers of not knowing what may be happening during labor and childbirth.

UNIT 10 - WELCOME TO THE WORLD!

This Unit has the purpose of investigating the development of the newborn human; understanding the complex processes underway in the newborn brain: sensory development, parent/infant bonding and early forms of communication.

UNIT 11 - BREASTFEEDING AND NUTRITION

The purpose of this session is to explore the importance of breastfeeding and it?s impact on nutrition, mother/infant bonding, and the emotional and psychological development of the infant ? consequently on the individual?s whole life, from birth to death.  We will also discuss the importance of nutrition and nature of germs.

UNIT 12 - THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE & DISCIPLINE STYLES

The purpose of this Unit is to learn to understand a baby?s developmental milestones in the first year of life and how to support these milestones.  What can a young parent be aware of in terms of optimal growth and well-being?  We will explore how, as the baby grows, setting boundaries and discipline become foreground issues.  Discipline styles will be taught which empower, rather than minimise the young being.

UNIT 13 - YOUR LIFE/YOUR IDENTITY (VIDEO WEEK)

The purpose of this Unit is for you to document your life through the pictures you have taken of important people, places and things, which matter and are meaningful to you.  Who are you in the world?  We will share our ?stories? with each other as a means of affirming our unique identity and discover the uniqueness of each other.  This week will be video taped to further the aim of this project.  Please, encourage the students to be themselves.

UNIT 14 - COMPLETION AND GOODBYES

The first purpose of this Unit is to complete the experience with toddlers and for each student to say a healthy goodbye to the toddler(s) he or she has been with during this time.  A second purpose is for students to look to the future ? to orientate themselves by envisioning time lines ? short, medium and long term goals.  Students will learn the importance of recognising the relationship between choices/actions and their consequences.
 
LAST DAY OF CLASS
The purpose of this day is to video tape the students completion of the program.  There will be a visit from Laura Huxley, founder and president, and her staff.  The students will be asked to describe their experience of the program and talk about what they learned, liked, disliked, etc.  They will receive their certificates of completion.  It?s a fun day!!!
 
ANY EXTRA TIME IN THE SEMESTER SHOULD BE USED TO DELVE DEEPER INTO WHAT THE STUDENTS NEED TO UNDERSTAND BETTER OR WANT TO TALK ABOUT MORE.