21ST CENTURY PARENTING

Bearing in mind the changing and challenging times in which we live, this wonderful course will enhance your ability to cater for your children’s needs and tackle difficult situations in a healthy and constructive manner.

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY: Restorative approaches to behaviour at school and home

Restorative approaches to behaviour focus on empowering individuals to resolve their own conflicts rather than using imposed solutions. Children involved in a conflict are prompted to consider their own thoughts and feelings as well a those of others before finding ways to move forward.

This session will explore examples of restorative approaches in the Torah. Participants will be introduced to the theory behind restorative justice and a method which can be easily used to help children take greater responsibility for their a actions.

Jason Marantz is the Headteacher of Wolfson Hillel Primary School and has worked in a variety of both Jewish and non-Jewish schools in the UK and in his native Canada. Jason has a Master’s Degree in Literacy Learning and Literacy Difficulties. Jason also runs the Children’s Service, for 8-11 year olds at Kinloss on Shabbat mornings.

UNDERSTANDING ADOLESCENTS AND ADOLESCENCE

Within this session, Emil Jackson will describe the main developmental stages of adolescence and key developmental tasks facing adolescents (and their parents) during this challenging and often volatile period. He will explore some of the central anxieties and preoccupations commonly experienced by adolescents and consider the impact of these on the adolescents themselves as well as those around them.

The premise for this talk is that we need to start with a good understanding of what is ‘ordinary’ or ‘normal’ in order to know when to be more concerned.

Emil Jackson is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, specialising in work with adolescents and their families. He works and teaches at the Tavistock Clinic and Brent Centre for Young People, as well as privately.

HOW DO I RESPOND TO THE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS MY CHILD ASKS?

Must I always answer? Can I respond, “Because Hashem says so!”? Is it in order to admit that I just do not know? When should I respond, “Why don’t you work it out for yourself”? Should I include others in responding to my child’s questions? Must I always rationalise my decisions and instructions or can I sometimes simply say, “Because I say so!”?

Rabbi Mirvis will give some expected and unexpected guidelines to these and many other types of challenging questions our children ask.

Rabbi Mirvis is the Rabbi of Finchley Synagogue and Director of KLC

THE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF HOME-SCHOOL RELATIONSHIPS

Whether dealing with an oldest or youngest child, there is a certain anxiety that most parents and children feel about school. Sometimes, it is easier for the child than it is for the parents. In this session we will explore the emotional aspects involved in ‘letting go’, not projecting anxieties onto the child and ensuring that parents enable children to approach new situations with confidence and self belief. We will explore the importance of good teacher-parent relationships and the need for a mutual understanding between them.

Leonie Sher is a trained Ofsted inspector as well as a Pikuach inspector. She holds a Masters degree in Educational Management and Administration. She is the Head of Initial Teacher Training at the United Synagogue, Agency for Jewish Education and the Programme Manager of the School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) Programme which trains twenty individuals each year as both secular and Limmudei Kodesh teachers.