It is essential for a child’s heart to remain soft, for emotions to be felt and expressed, for tears of sadness and disappointment to be shed in order for a child to develop and mature. For anyone raising a child who is very sensitive or is stuck, softening the defences the brain has erected for protection can be a challenging task. This workshop will focus on ways adults can soften a child’s heart so that the tears can be restored, lowering frustration and anxiety. As a family therapist and mother of sensitive children, Patti Drobot will discuss how to restore the ability for a child to feel, attend, grieve, and attach.

Living Inquiries:

Well-being and belonging.
Engagement with others, materials, and the world.
Communication and literacies.
Identities, social responsibility, and diversity.

Pathways:

Resilience, emotion, defences, and attachment.
How to soften the defences in children so children grow and develop.
Interests and inquiries
Knowledge and theories
Suitable for ECE students, parents, intermediate and experienced early care and learning professionals working with children of all ages and abilities, from infants/toddlers to school age children.

Facilitator(s): Patti Drobott

Patti Drobot is a registered professional counsellor and parent consultant with a private practice in Vancouver. She provides therapy for adults and also offers parent consulting using a developmental, attachment-based approach. Her background is in occupational therapy with more than 20 years experience as both clinician and educator in the areas of neurology, psychiatry, and community mental health. She is an adjunct faculty member of the Neufeld Institute and uses Dr. Neufeld’s approach in her day to day life as both mother and professional.