A community lecture and workshop, entitled "Social Inclusion: understanding the patterns of teasing, isolation and bullying," is coming to the Coast next week.
Guest lecturer Kim John Payne will present an evening public talk on Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Roberts Creek Elementary School gym and a workshop at Sun Haven Waldorf School on Thursday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both events are open to the public, but pre-registration is required for the Thursday workshop. This is a joint collaboration with the Sun Haven Waldorf School and the Roberts Creek Elementary School.
Schools today are not just places of academic learning, but places of social learning as well. Ask any child what is their favourite subject and they will almost always declare (with a grin from ear to ear) recess. The joys and sorrows of the playground and the social experiences we have as children can colour our relationships for a lifetime. Exclusion carries the possibility for distress and deepening antisocial behaviour, but if resolved in an insightful way, it brings the opportunity to experience dynamic human encounters through which the essential individuality of the child grows.
Payne has been a school counsellor, adult educator, consultant, researcher and educator for nearly 30 years and a private family counsellor for more than 15 years. He has been helping children, adolescents and families explore issues such as social difficulties with siblings and classmates, attention and behavioural issues at home and school, emotional issues such as defiance, aggression, addiction and self-esteem. Payne is the founding director of The Center for Social Sustainability (www.socialsustain.com).
For more information, for tickets or to register for the workshop, see www.nomorebullying.ca or contact Canteris Hartley at 604-886-3844.
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