PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

Thursday 28 July 2011

“Externalising problems with the whole class: A narrative approach to citizenship education” (Therese Hegarty)

The workshop

Teachers sometimes find themselves teaching a class where a problem has taken hold of the class culture. Name-calling, Cliques, Attention Seeking, Competitiveness are some of the problems which can occur. Challenging individual children fails to address the systemic nature of the problem and can invite defensiveness.

Externalising these problems with a whole class positions the problem rather than the children as the problem and opens space for children to explore the effect of the problem on their lives. They can decide on a preferred relationship with the problem and link that position to their values. Together they can discover small initiatives to step outside the grip of the problem.

Drawing on Narrative practice, Jungian Sand Play and Circle Time, Therese will invite workshop participants to take part in the process themselves. Case studies from classes in Dublin will be shared. Follow up activities will be suggested. The process invites children to form a participative democracy, which can inform their relationships in groups and society later.

The facilitator

Therese worked as a primary school teacher for 24 years, with a particular interest in children who displayed social and emotional difficulties. In 2003 she completed a Masters in Family Therapy (UCD, Dublin, Ireland) and now divides her time between Family Therapy and Teacher Education. In the Froebel College she teaches three courses: Social, Personal and Health Education; Development and Intercultural Education; and Positive Approaches to Childhood Aggression.  In 2008 she completed the International Diploma in Narrative Therapy and Community Work and was a keynote speaker at the International Conference in Adelaide.