You have worked hard during your 10-week CPRT training and are beginning to reap the rewards of “Special Play Time.” Maybe you’ve been able to maintain a weekly schedule, or perhaps circumstances have disrupted your schedule. Even though you have consulted your manual, maybe situations have come up that have you stuck, and you’re not sure how to get back on track. Some of you may just miss the support and encouragement that was part of your training experience.
You’re ready for CPRT Discovery group!
The “Curve of Learning” described below probably seems familiar to you, but what you don’t know is that this series of Stages will continue to occur throughout your life as a parent. Something will change: your child goes to a new school, another child becomes a part of your family, or a tragedy may strike your family. When these changes come, the curve of Learning starts over! First you must regain your excitement that springs from your confidence in yourself and your commitment to your relationship with your child. There will be awkward moments and times when you can’t think of what to do. Then, eventually, you will gain a new closeness and a deeper understanding of both yourself and your child. “The Curve of Learning” is really a spiral, expanding as you and your child discover, grow, and change together.
Curve of Learning (from the Arthur Murray Dance Advice for Humans)
- The Initial Stage: You are nervous and excited about the possibility of developing a better relationship your child. Your heart is hoping that this will work. You are ready to learn something new!
- The Awkward Use Stage: You are learning new skills and your brain is in charge rather than your heart. You feel slow and awkward in your practice sessions with your child.
- The Conscious Use Phase: You are beginning to relax into the process and you are seeing a whole new side to your child. A battle sometimes erupts between your brain and your heart. You lose spontaneity because you are suddenly thinking, “Is this the right thing to say?”
- The Natural Use Stage: Your CPRT training has become a part of who you are and, the “Special Play Time” experiences are integrated into your whole relationship with your child. You and your child are discovering a unique understanding of each other and’ you are creatively encountering new ways of relating to each other.
FACILITATOR: Vicki Williams – Patterson, MCAT, LPC-AT
REGISTRATIONS : Lejla Cenanovic (210)616-0885 or Lcenanovic@ecrh.org