Professional Learning Day for SNAs - Empowering Relationships: Insights, Information & Strategies for Navigating Challenging Behaviour, Enhancing Emotional Regulation, and Promoting Positive Interactions

A recording of this event will be made available to all registrants the day after the event. However, it will automatically delete after 4 weeks. The recording is strictly for registrants only and is not to be shared with anyone. Once you register strictly no refunds.

All attendees will recieve a cert of attendance for 4.5 hours.

Session 1 – 9.30-10.45

Title: Building Positive Connections - Our Use of Self & Understanding how Brains & Bodies work

Description: Debbie will explore essential insights and practical strategies to empower SNAs in their vital roles. Discover how to forge stronger connections with students, enhance emotional support, and create a nurturing learning environment by gaining a deeper understanding of how brains and bodies function. This session will equip you with valuable tools and knowledge to make a lasting difference in special education. Debbie will give actionable strategies & tools to enhance your skills, expand your impact, set consistent limits and promote positive connections.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Participants will gain strategies & tools to manage their own regulation & share their calm with children.
2. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of basic brain science & how we can use this knowledge to look underneath behaviour.
3. Participants will learn the A.C.T. Model, which is a research based method of consistent limit setting.

Presenter: Debbie Cullinane

Debbie Cullinane is a mother of 2, former teacher, qualified child and adolescent psychotherapist, play therapist and runs her own private practice in Co Mayo. She is sensory & development partner with Smyths Toys Superstores & is passionate about empowering teachers, SNAs and parents. She works with 2 Childhood Cancer Charities and is an experienced training facilitator. Debbie is Network Mayo’s Emerging Businesswoman of the Year 2023.

Session 2 – 11.00-12.15

Title: Playful Pathways: Nurturing Positive Behaviour Through Play and Creativity

Description: Discover the power of play in fostering positive behaviour and a thriving learning environment with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Play Therapist, Hayley Rice. A former teacher, Hayley will give you her top tips for building secure relational foundations with children in order to gain co-operation in your setting. Gain practical insights and easy to implement tools for highly effective ways to tackle behaviour challenges and get back on track. Learn the benefits of infusing creativity and play into your day and see positive changes in the children you work with

Learning Outcomes:

1. Participants will learn the neuroscience behind relationships and regulation and how to utilise this in their setting
2. Participants will gain practical tools and insights on navigating challenging behaviours positively
3. Participants will learn how to use playful strategies and tools to enhance co-operation, regulation and to reduce challenging behaviour.

Presenter: Hayley Rice

Hayley Rice is a child and adolescent psychotherapist specialising in play therapy. Prior to this, she spent 10 years as a primary school teacher. She facilitates trainings across Ireland and internationally on topics from esteem and confidence to trauma and grief. Hayley is passionate about empowering parents and professionals to become conscious in their approaches and to respond to behaviours and emotions in an informed and child-centred way.

Session 3: 12:45-14:00

Title: Is it Sensory or is it Behaviour?

When a child has challenges processing sensory information, life can be like a rush hour traffic jam! The sensory messages perceived by the brain can become heightened or even be force the sensory system to shut down. This can impact on how a child performs in their everyday activities e.g. self-care, play and school work. A child with sensory processing challenges can have challenges in activity levels, attention, movement all of which can result in meltdowns and behavioural challenges as a means of escaping a challenging sensory environment.

Supporting your child’s sensory challenges and understanding how you can create a positive sensory environment and experience can support your child’s everyday participation.

Learning outcomes: 

-          What is sensory processing?

-          Understanding your child’s sensory profile 

-          Is it sensory or is it behaviour?

-          Sensory tools and strategies to support your child sensory profile to support regulation and promote a positive relationship.

Presenter: Kevin Prior

Kevin Prior is a Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Co-Founder of Everyday OT, a children’s Occupational Therapy products and services company. Kevin's heart belongs to the world of play and its pivotal role in supporting children. His own personal journey of being both dyslexic and having a physical disability, provide him with a unique perspective and fuels his drive to better understand the needs of children and families.