I do not pretend to have any quick or easy solutions. The only thing I really know is that when we come face to face with suffering we have an obligation to stop if even for a few moments. We have to exit our offices, cubicles, and nurses stations, put away the text books and the psychiatric books, and simply enter into situations shrouded in suffering —the man crying, the
Gentle Teaching is not about anyone’s behaviors; it is about our values and our moral imaginations—what do we see as decent and good and what are our basic values. I believe that is why I agreed with the young caregiver when she told me to go out and work hands-on with the people. Another old memory that sticks in my heart involved my first visit to a psychiatric hospital. All
Another mother stands with her baby in the picture above. In even a brief encounter with anyone whose heart is broken or on the verge of breaking we can gain much insight into the human condition—so much suffering, yet the possibility of joy and the presence of hope. It is up to us, the caring community, to bring hope, warmth, and unconditional love. In our work we meet many suffering,
We must find joy in the midst of sorrow. In the most difficult encounters it can only be found in our hope. The mother and children in the picture above are obviously suffering. If we were to encounter them, we should ask ourselves what might we do. I do not pretend to know the answer; there might not be an immediate one in the global reality of hunger, thirst, and
Gentle Teaching Author Dea Engberg At Soedisbakke in Denmark, a domicile and activity centre for adults with developmental disabilities, and a workplace for social educators, they use a philosophy of actively practicing love and compassion at the work place. The idea is that showing love and compassion is part of the job description and constitutes a fundamental framework for the work of the staff. It is not so much a method
The Gentle Teaching Primer has been a big hit over the last 4 or 5 years. It is now being released for download. Many thanks to John McGee and Marge Brown for the editing and production of the booklet. The file is a 36 page colorful easy to follow PDF. It is easily downlowned and can be printed as a booklet or used as a PDF for instuction or training.
MORC Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Inc. www.MORCINC.org Since 1986, MORC has implemented the principles of Gentle Teaching, as pioneered by John McGee, Ph.D., from Omaha, Nebraska. Gentle Teaching is based on the key principles of teaching a person to feel safe, loved, being able to love others, and that it is good to be engaged with others. Through MORC policies, training opportunities, and culture, it is the agency’s goal that
Globe Star http://www.globe-star.org/gt.htm gentleness is crucial for building companionship and community. Gentleness means preventing any form of violence and instead evoking peace. To do this, we value: Interdependence over independence Nurturing over controlling Unconditional love over rewards and punishments Collective decision-making over self-determination Nonviolence and dialogue over violence and confrontation This is the approach that our Caregivers take when interacting with the Individuals we serve. It is the Mentors’ responsibility
Globe Star http://www.globe-star.org/gt.htm Gentle Teaching is a non-violent approach for helping people with special needs that focuses on four primary goals: Teaching the person to feel safe with us. Teaching the person to feel engaged with us. Teaching the person to feel unconditionally valued by us. Teaching the person to return unconditional valuing to us. These four goals contribute to building a sense of companionship and community for the person. Gentle Teaching does not focus on compliance or obedience,
From the Saskatchewan Alternative Initiatives http://saionline.ca/gentle-teaching/ A look at the basics Gentle Teaching is a non-violent approach to interacting with people with challenging behaviours and/or special needs. Gentle Teaching focuses on four primary goals of care-giving: Teaching the person to feel safe with us; Teaching the person to feel unconditionally loved by us; Teaching the person to feel loving towards us; Teaching the person to feel engaged with us. Gentle