As It Is:
Understanding Children with Special Needs from a Buddhist and
Relationship Driven Perspective with Experiential Arts
Course details
Lecturers: Torey Hayden, Marianna Bauko, Kristin Powers, Ramila Rai
Meditation Teacher: Khenpo Sherab Tenzin
Dates: TBC
Duration: 1 year, part-time course
Format: Live streaming
Commitment: attendance, class participation, completing assignments and reflective practice
Award: Abiding Heart Education™ Certificate in Understanding Children with Special needs
Fee: £1,000
Course Description
This course offers an understanding of children with special needs, drawing together the contemplative traditions' view, current Western scientific thinking, experience, and the contemplative Steinerian therapeutic arts. Appropriate for teachers, parents and others with an interest in childhood differences, this course will offer a full overview of physical and psychological differences with an emphasis on practical application. Course design will include contemplative, experiential, and artistic components to provide a nourishing environment for learning.
The course will be delivered through a series of lectures, case study work, contemplation, discussion, meditation and healing through art and dance.
We highly recommend anyone intending to take this course to also complete our child development course, either before or after this course.
‘As It Is’ is a one-year part-time course and consists of 4 mandatory modules:
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Module 1: Understanding - 1 week
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Module 2: Strengthening - 1 weeks
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Module 3: Supporting - 2 weeks
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Module 4: Nurturing - 2 week
Modules Details
Module 1: Understanding
Duration: 1 week
Description
The aim of module 1 is to provide an understanding of why inclusion of children with differences and disabilities is important. To do this, we will explore the contemplative science perspective, in particular the concept of cause and effect and interdependence and their role. An overview of the variety of special needs will follow. Lovingkindness and compassion meditation and contemplation will take place at regular intervals during the two weeks. Students will work with one or more case studies.
There will be a session dedicated to exploring the Medicine Buddha in view, meditation and application.
In the art section of the course, we experience the themes developed in the lectures and meditation sessions through the experiential arts and movement.
Module 2: Strengthening
Duration: 1 weeks
Description:
The aim of Module 3 will be to provide ways of supporting children with special needs and those living and working with them when problems occur. We will review the contemplative science perspective and cause and effect and then go on to explore practical methods of behavior management and changes that are responsive to the children's differences. Time will also be given to classroom discussion of personal experiences in this area and troubleshooting. Lovingkindness and compassion meditation and contemplation will take place at regular intervals during the week. Review and work with case studies will be included.
We will continue to deepen our practice of the Medicine Buddha meditation.
In the art section of the course, we continue to explore experientially the themes developed in the lectures and meditation sessions through the experiential arts and movement.
Module 3: Supporting
Duration: 2 weeks
Description:
The aim of Module 3 will be to provide ways of supporting children with special needs and those living and working with them when problems occur. We will review the Buddhist perspective and karma and then go on to explore practical methods of behavior management and changes that are responsive to the children's differences. Time will also be given to classroom discussion of personal experiences in this area and troubleshooting. Lovingkindness and compassion meditation and contemplation will take place at regular intervals during the week. Review and work with case studies will be included.
We will continue to deepen our practice of the Medicine Buddha meditation.
In the art section of the course, we continue to explore experientially the themes developed in the lectures and meditation sessions through the experiential arts and movement.
Module 4: Nurturing
Duration: 2 week
Description:
The aim of Module 4 will be to synthesize the learning from the previous three modules with a emphasis on the role of relationships with and for children with special needs. We will explore strategies for strengthening relationships between the children and parents, teachers and peers. This will include teaching social skills, and dealing with negative issues such as bullying. Lovingkindness and compassion meditation and contemplation will take place at regular intervals during the week. Review and work with case studies will be included.
We will continue to deepen our practice of the Medicine Buddha meditation.
In the art section of the course, we continue to explore experientially the themes developed in the lectures and meditation sessions through the experiential arts and movement.
Daily class schedule: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Time: Noon - 5pm GMT
For those attending on-line from other countries please see time zones below
Please read our Terms and Conditions for more information.
If you have any queries, please contact us at admissions@abidingheart.education or complete an admissions inquiry form.