New Training Program Helps Campus Supervisors to Connect With Children

When I first started writing my book The “Perfect” Parent, I didn’t realize I was starting on a journey that would take me into such unexpected places. I was initially focused on the skills that parenting requires, but after I was approached by educators about providing training in schools, it became clear that everyone who deals with children must be trained with such tools to communicate effectively.

When we initially look at teaching children the social and emotional skills they need, we often think of a literal classroom setting. While in-classroom instruction is important, what happens outside of the classroom environment is equally important – especially when you include before-school and after-school care.

That’s why I took my tools and customized them to create The Mindful Play Leaders’ Lead to Succeed Program. The people that I have termed Mindful Play Leaders (MPL) fall into four categories in the school environment.

Campus Supervisors (often colloquially called “yard duty”)
Activity Leaders
Site Assistants
Site Supervisors

Research tells us that about a quarter of a child’s education comes from MPLs! Some of that time may be structured, but other times will be free play.

Unstructured time is critical to a child’s development and gives kids a chance to learn how to resolve conflicts, manage emotions, build communication skills, and use their imaginations – all an integral part of building Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills. The role that these play leaders play, needless to say, contributes greatly in shaping our children.

This is also an opportunity that is unique to the play leaders. Children may spend so much time under the watch of play leaders that it rivals that with their own parents. How important is it then to implement such training programs through our school districts to equip our play leaders?

The MPL Program is currently being piloted in the Saugus Union School District, in Santa Clarita, California. So far, almost 90 campus supervisors have completed the training, gaining skills in addressing students’ social emotional needs and practical communications tools for nurturing and connecting with students. This program is continuing through the upcoming 2016/2017 school year to include activity leaders, site assistants, and site supervisors.

Included in the training sessions are sections on social emotional learning, helping students to better understand their own emotions during conflict and how to direct them towards solutions, and teaching tools to help participants be more accepting and respecting of personalities and emotions. The goal is also to bring emotional intelligence and mindful communication to our children through the play leaders.

If you’re interested in reading more details on the Mindful Play Leaders’ Lead to Succeed Program, here are some helpful resources.

Campus Supervisor Training Stories
Press Release from Saugus Union School District (SUSD)
SUSD Letter of Recommendation
Article in L.A. Parent on the pilot program
Article in The Santa Clarita Valley Signal

To learn more about conducting the Mindful Play Leaders’ Lead to Succeed Program in your area, please contact us at Roma@ToolsofGrowth.com.

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