A Nurturing Environment for A Nurturing Environment for Developing Life Long SkillsDeveloping Life Long Skills

The Harmonium The Harmonium Whole Child ModelWhole Child Model

What is unique about Harmonium’s Program?

The Whole Child Model

A Whole Child" is one who:•attains physical, intellectual and spiritual well-being,•experiences strong, positive family attachment,•interacts constructively in a social context,•has a sense of hope, and•lives in an environment that encourages him/her to succeed.

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is a major American research project that poses the question of whether, and how, childhood experiences affect healthy growth, behavior and learning. Sponsored by the CDC, it has begun to answer the question: How do we recognize and address the events in children’s lives that affect their healthy growth and development?

• Trained childcare professionals with varied mental health training• Sensitivity & accommodations occur throughout the school• Creation of nurturing and safe environments.• Focus is on students’ educational success through emotional &

physical safety, empowerment, trust, choice, & collaboration

The Whole Child Model impacts:

Cognitive/academicPhysicalEmotionalSpiritualDevelopmental

Impact on Relationships

Relationships are developed through the emotional bond between the child & primary caregivers. It is through this relationship we learn to: Regulate emotions/“self soothe” Develop trust in others Freely explore our environment Understand ourselves & others Understand that we can impact the world

around us

Impact on LearningImpact on Learning

Organizing narrative materialOrganizing narrative material Cause & effectCause & effect Taking another's perspectiveTaking another's perspective AttentivenessAttentiveness Regulating emotionsRegulating emotions Executive functioningExecutive functioning Engaging in curriculumEngaging in curriculum

Impact on Classroom BehaviorImpact on Classroom Behavior

Reactivity & impulsivityReactivity & impulsivity AggressionAggression DefianceDefiance WithdrawalWithdrawal PerfectionismPerfectionism

The Whole Child Model effects:

Children are: less likely to fail a grade in school score higher on standardized

achievement tests have fewer struggles in receptive &

expressive language are suspended & expelled less often less frequently placed in special

education

The Whole Child ModelStaff Training

Additional training to encourage…Additional training to encourage… Relationships that enhance learningRelationships that enhance learning

AttentionAttention AffectionAffection AttunementAttunement

Childcare strategies to establish …Childcare strategies to establish … SafetySafety EmpowermentEmpowerment CollaborationCollaboration ChoiceChoice TrustTrust

Understanding the dynamics of interpersonal, Understanding the dynamics of interpersonal, community & historical violencecommunity & historical violence

Whole Child Model Strategies to establish SAFETY

Clear & consistent rules Clear & consistent rules

for managing behavior & for managing behavior &

setting limitssetting limits Accommodations to meet Accommodations to meet

individual strengths & needsindividual strengths & needs Predictable structure, relationships, Predictable structure, relationships,

& environment& environment Reduce bullying & harassmentReduce bullying & harassment

Whole Child Strategies to establish EMPOWERMENT

Embed mental health instruction into curriculum by teaching Coping skillsCoping skills Self-regulation skillsSelf-regulation skills

Provide guided opportunities for meaningful participation

Maintaining high behavioral & academic expectations

Build on strengths Build competency

Whole Child Model Strategies to establish COLLABORATION

Site StaffSite Staff Works to create consultation teams with school Works to create consultation teams with school

personnelpersonnel Classroom consultationClassroom consultation

FamilyFamily Family educationFamily education Family training & supportFamily training & support

CommunityCommunity ReferralsReferrals ResourcesResources PartnershipsPartnerships

Whole Child Model Strategies to establish CHOICE

Staff work with students to develop self-care plan Identify triggers Create coping strategies

Giving choices & alternativesGiving choices & alternatives ““Comfort areas”Comfort areas” Learn about self-regulation interventionsLearn about self-regulation interventions Safe & acceptable expression of feelingsSafe & acceptable expression of feelings Collaborative Problem SolvingCollaborative Problem Solving

Whole Child Model Strategies to establish TRUST

Relationship with the staff based on…

Unconditional positive regard for all students

Checking assumptions, observing & questioning

Being a relationship coach

Leading to Development of the Whole Child

Social-Emotional Development• Learns to manage his or her emotions (self-regulation),• Feels about themselves (self-confidence),• Relates to others and the world around them(competence).

Spiritual Foundation and Strength• Experiencing the “Sense of Wonder”,• Learning the “Qualities” of spirit,• Reading Aloud and Experiencing the Arts

Physical and Mental Health• Physical Activities• Access to health information,• Nutrition and Exercise fundamentals.

Leading to Development of the Whole Child

Economic Stability• Helping parents keep jobs by providing free ASES childcare,• Helping parents with affordable licensed childcare,• Helping parents with financial assistance.

Quality Education• Certified teachers providing academic assistance (PrimeTime),• Fostering learning by reducing the barriers coming from stress,• Developing study habits that enhance academic success.

Safe and Nurturing Environments• Addressing the causes and responses to bullying,• Positive and respectful interactions.• Reduces aggression by teaching triggers and coping methods.

Why Harmonium?

The Whole Child Model Focuses on all dimensions of the student Life-long impact on well-being and

learning Reduction of negative behaviors

Integrated Holistic Approach Family, School, Community, Staff

Experience: Licensed Care – 25 years Experience: ASES – 12 years Based on best research