OUR APPROACH
We offer an issues-based (rather than skills-based) approach to training which means we work together with you to explore, unpack and think through your approach to working with children. Our training will have one or more of the following themes at its heart:
- children’s spirituality
- their developmental needs
- the setting (often an urban setting).
This means we might look at how we understand children’s spirituality, how we can help it to grow, how we can learn from children, working with the child’s whole world, helping churches to really ‘see’ children, nurturing creativity in children, Jesus’ approach to children, understanding challenging attitudes and behaviours, children caught between different cultures – and many more issues! These themes cover so much of what we find exciting, perplexing, challenging and life-giving in children.
In all we do, the child is at the centre, as we remember that Jesus himself called a little child and had him stand among them, reminding the gathered adults that ‘whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me’ (Matthew 18:5).
‘If your own life is like a graveyard to you, leave children free to see it as a playground’
(Janusz Korczak)
ARRANGING TRAINING
We offer two models of training:
1. CURBS Unpacked (click to find out more..)
This is a hands-on reflective learning programme currently based in London covering six days over the period of a year, giving participants the opportunity to ‘unpack’ the key aspects of the CURBS approach through input, practice and reflection.
2. Church-based training
We offer training that is locally-based for small groups. Although it’s not always possible, we prefer to work with groups of churches rather than with single churches because it is a good way for you to meet with others in the local area who have the same concerns.
We like to plan the programme together with you to ensure that it meets your needs, and our approach is friendly and informal. In terms of timing, there are a number of options such as evenings, Saturdays (half or full day), or a series of sessions.
As a guide, we charge churches £50 for a half day or evening session and £100 for a full day plus travelling expenses. We charge organisations £200 for a day plus travel. However, we’re happy to negotiate costs with you as we don’t want to exclude anyone.
Contact us for further information and to arrange training.