{"id":6461,"date":"2023-02-17T05:18:23","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T05:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.springfwd.com.au\/?p=6461"},"modified":"2023-02-17T05:18:23","modified_gmt":"2023-02-17T05:18:23","slug":"enhancing-emotional-development-with-the-circle-of-security-parenting-programme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.springfwd.com.au\/enhancing-emotional-development-with-the-circle-of-security-parenting-programme\/","title":{"rendered":"Enhancing Emotional Development With the Circle of Security Parenting Programme"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Is the Circle of Security Parenting Programme<\/a>?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Circle of Security programme is an evidenced-based intervention that was originally developed in the United States in the early 2000s. It’s a secure attachment parenting programme that helps parents to enhance their emotional development and better care for their children.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The programme is based on the four attachment styles that have been identified in infants: dismissive, preoccupied, unresolved and fearful. It provides parents with strategies to help them build a positive relationship with their children, based on trust and emotional availability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Components of the Circle of Security Programme<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Circle of Security parenting programme is based on evidence-based practise, and has four core components:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first is the central visual of the Circle of Security, which is used in interventions<\/a>. The diagram is designed to help caregivers understand the four key relationships that are important to a child’s emotional development: the caregiver-child relationship, the relationship with other family members, the relationship with peers and the relationship with God or a higher power.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The second component is training with a COSP facilitator. The COSP facilitators are people who share the video programme with caregivers and provide support and guidance as they work through it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The third component is the online learning hub. This is a place where caregivers can find information about the programme, access resources, and connect with other caregivers who are using the programme.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The fourth and final component is research. The Circle of Security parenting programme is backed by research that shows its positive impact on children’s emotional development.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Evidence-Based Strategies of the Circle of Security Programme<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Circle of Security parenting programme is one that has been designed with broad implementation in mind. It’s evidence-based, and has been listed as a Promising Practise by various evidence-based review listings. The programme is meant to enhance attachment security between parents and children.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are four evidence-based strategies that the programme employs:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Predicting Needs – Parents learn to pay attention to their child’s signals, and to anticipate their needs.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Engaging in Emotional Dialogue – Parents learn to talk with their child about their emotional experiences.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Responding to Needs Adaptively – Parents learn to soothe and reassure their child in a timely manner.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Establishing Structure and Consistency – Parents create a predictable environment for their child, which helps them feel secure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How Does the Circle of Security Parenting Programme Work?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The aim of the Circle of Security Parenting Programme is to help parents understand their child’s emotional needs and how best to respond to them. The programme is based on attachment theory, which posits that a secure attachment between parent and child is key to healthy emotional development.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The programme consists of eight weekly group sessions, each lasting two and a half hours. The groups are led by trained facilitators and are limited to 12 participants. During the sessions, parents view videos of children aged 0-4 years and discuss their own experiences of parenting. The videos and discussions help parents to understand their child’s behaviour and how best to respond to it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The programme has been shown to be effective in enhancing attachment security between parents and children. It is listed as a Promising Practise by various evidence-based review listings, including the US National Registry of Evidence-based Programmes and Practises (NREPP) and the Blueprints for Violence Prevention.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Benefits for Parents and Children<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The benefits of the COS parenting programme are not just limited to children. In fact, the majority of parents who have taken the course report feeling more confident and competent in their parenting skills. They also report feeling more connected to their child and more enjoyment in parenting in general.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    In addition, parents who have taken the COS parenting course report lower levels of stress and anxiety, both in their parenting and in other areas of their life. And, perhaps most importantly, they report feeling more satisfied with their parenting overall.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    How to Find a Circle of Security Parenting Course Online<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The Circle of Security Parenting programme is based on research on secure parent-child relationships. It is designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. The programme is suitable for parents, foster\/adoptive parents, early learning\/childcare professionals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The programme is divided into 8 chapters facilitated by a trained professional<\/a>. The topics of each chapter are as follows:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n