Make the Connection
for babies Birth to One
We are offer two-day training workshop which will qualify participants to deliver Make the Connection (MTC 0-1) as well as increase their skills in supporting the parent-infant relationship.
You can access training in one of two ways - either by attending a training session offered in Toronto, or by booking a trainer to come to your community. To find out more about our scheduled training workshops or how to book a trainer to come to your community, email info@firstthreeyears.org.
As well, you can download a .pdf file (you'll need the free Acrobat Reader to view it) of our Registration Forms (see left sidebar) — but please call (416-972-9622) or email first to ensure that spaces are still available.
Group leader training for MTC 0-1 has been piloted with 10 community agencies in Ontario whose families and staff provided us with the feedback needed to ensure a culturally sensitive, effective and replicable program.
Description of training
Participants attend a two-day workshop (a sample agenda appears below). Workshops are hands-on and interactive. Participants are provided with a comprehensive Leader’s Guide which includes step-by-step instructions for the delivery of the program, resource information and templates for parent handouts.
The workshop enables participants to learn by doing. They have plenty of ’hands-on’ opportunity to practice planning and delivering the MTC program - including the parent-baby activities and leading the parent discussion and video review.
Videotaping and review, used in the ’Make the Connection’ program, are key tools in helping parents learn. In this workshop participants improve their skill at analyzing parent-infant interaction - a skill that can be applied to other aspects of their work with families.
Sample Agenda
| 9:00 |
WELCOME |
| 9:15 |
ORIENTATION TO MTC
Current research on parent-infant relationship, communication and learning; rationale and program description |
| 11:00 |
S T R E T C H BREAK |
| 11:10 |
OVER TO YOU - SESSION SIMULATIONS
Participants plan how to run a session including welcome, baby activities and parent discussion |
| 12:15 |
LUNCH |
| 1:00 |
SIMULATIONS cont'd
Participants role play program sessions and discuss session objectives |
|
BREAK |
| 4:00 |
WRAP-UP |
| 9:00 |
WELCOME |
| 9:35 |
VIDEOTAPING
What's involved, why it's important, and how its used in MTC |
| 10:00 |
PARENTS ONLY SESSIONS (3&6)
Participants view sample videos and practice choosing segments and giving feedback to parents |
| 10:30 |
SIMULATION PREP TIME
Participants plan how to choose video segments for review and discussion with parents |
| 11:00 |
SIMULATIONS
Participants demonstrate video review |
| 12:00 |
LUNCH |
| 1:00 |
SIMULATIONS cont'd. |
| 1:30 |
PARENTS ONLY SESSIONS (3&6)
PARENTING ISSUES
Role play and discussion |
| 2:30 |
PLANS FOR GETTING STARTED |
| 4:00 |
WRAP-UP & EVALUATION |
Who can run Make the Connection?
Make the Connection can be delivered by many types of community workers involved in prevention and support-work with families - home visitors, public heath nurses, social workers, early childhood educators, etc. Prior experience facilitating groups and/or working with infants is preferable.
* We recommend that 2 staff from one agency attend the training and initially co-lead MTC parent programs.
How much does training cost to attend?
Training costs vary for MTC 0-1 and MTC 1-2 - please contact F3Y for details .
Here's what participants receive as part of their training:
- A comprehensive leader's guide outlining weekly sessions and resource materials
- 3 teaching posters summarizing information for parents
- A sample 'My First Year' or 'My Second Year' parent guide/photo album
- A 'Make the Connection' CD of songs and rhymes used in the parent program
- A Group Leader certificate
- Access to follow-up and member website support
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