Training Course Objectives

The training course has been designed to ensure that facilitators have the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully implement the Kid Support™ program.

Knowledge

In addition to being able to describe some common effects of parental cancer on children and their families, how to recognize the names of different types of cancer, and how to explain basic cancer-related terms in language children can understand, facilitators will be able to:

• distinguish between responsibilities of a facilitator and those of a professional therapist or counselor
  
  
• name and explain at least ten helpful interactions with children of cancer patients
  
  
• explain the reasons behind the content, design, and sequence of the program
  
  
• cite a range of children's behaviors that can be symptomatic of grief and mourning
  
  
• recognize when a child needs professional help, and know their site's procedure for communicating with parents

Skills

The training course develops a range of facilitator skills. After completing the course, facilitators will be able to facilitate increased communication between children and their parents, monitor their own reactions to working with the group, and adhere to clear standards of confidentiality.

Facilitators will be able to listen in a way that encourages children to express themselves, and speak in a way that encourages children to listen, by demonstrating basic competence in:

· empathic listening (listening that involves "tuning in" to the feelings of others)

· open-ended questioning (asking questions that help children clarify for themselves what they are thinking and feeling)

· encouraging interaction among group members

· noticing and responding to body language

· modeling attentive listening and respectful questioning

· using age-appropriate language

· displaying appropriate feelings, such as sincerity and calmness

· creating a climate of safety and security for the group through the appropriate use of self-disclosure, playfulness, and humor