« The "What will people think?" syndrome | Main | Promoting midwifery in Spain »

Feedback on workshops

This workshop in Burton on Trent (yesterday and today) is on the theme of “Teaching Skills for Educators” and it makes a good change of pace from the Active Birth workshops I have been presenting over these past weeks.

Several group members are from Goodhope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham and I was delighted to hear of the progress they are making in their efforts to keep birth normal and to incorporate the ideas we had explored in the workshops I have presented there in the past. They are running their own Active Birth programs now for parents and also for staff - which is a wonderful development. It is so encouraging to have this feedback and to know that what I am offering is having some impact.

We cover a lot in this Teaching Skills program - starting with some of the foundations for developing parent education (working with adults, aims and objectives, teaching and learning styles etc), program planning and of course, lots of different presentation ideas. My main goal is to shift thinking from the emphasis that is usually placed on cramming in information and facts, towards enabling parents to gain skills they will need to manage their changed lives during pregnancy, birth and parenting. Many programs are so short these days (often only 3 or 4 sessions) that attempting to make sure parents “know everything” is clearly futile. It makes more sense to help parents feel confident solving problems, learning how to use the health care system effectively and to evaluate the options and choices they will be offered. A good dose of consumer rights and negotiation skills are also useful.

The activities I include are all designed to enable these skills to be developed by group members, whilst they have fun, get to know each other and build their confidence. When I present these workshops I realise how much I miss being able to work with expectant parents. One day when I am unable/unwilling to continue with all the travel, I will again be able to offer programs for parents on a regular basis. It is such fun and so rewarding - a real community service.

Posted by andrea at June 18, 2004 06:13 PM

Post a comment