The circle of security: building connections with children
It’s 6 am, and your cute 4-year-old is not only up but is banging on the cupboard in the kitchen. It’s apparent they want something to eat.
You crawl out of bed, make your way to the kitchen, open the cupboard and offer a couple of options. Your child gets frustrated, starts stomping their feet and angrily says no over and over.
There appears to be no correct answer, bringing you closer and closer to the end of your proverbial rope.
Your ability to appease this early morning snack attack is not working, and even worse, you feel like you’re ready to lose your temper on your child.
Your little one is struggling with their ability to communicate clearly and to deal with their emotions, which have now overwhelmed them. You are in the same boat, unable to effectively hear what is being said, and your emotions are starting to take over.
This is not the first time this has happened, and it won’t be the last time, as communicating with a toddler is often a challenge. However, there are ways to help improve how parents interact with their young ones and CUPS is working to provide an opportunity for parents to do just that.
A program that builds skills and connection
The CUPS Circle of Security program is designed for parents of children ages 0-6 years old, to help them recognize their needs and how to respond to them to build a loving environment.
It has been offered by the organization since 2021 and is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened using the circle as the basis of learning.
The 8-week program provides a space for CUPS parents to learn first-hand how to build the connection between themselves and their child(ren) through in-person group settings that promote connection and attachment.
During that time, they will:
Watch curriculum videos of real-life parent-child moments which offer conversation and reflection.
Have an opportunity to practice new parenting skills through relatable parent-child experiences
Understand their child’s emotional world by learning to read the emotional needs
Support their child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
Enhance the development of their child's self-esteem
Honour your innate wisdom and desire for their child to be secure
Another of the key takeaways from the course will be developing a mindset of how to deal with every interaction between parent and child.
So, the next time a parent’s child decides on having an early breakfast, they will be able to communicate with them effectively and avert disaster before it happens.
At the very least, the skills they gain and the connection they have established with their child will assist in being able to constructively put an end to any feet stomping and screaming that awakens the entire household quickly. Doing so lets them know this is not acceptable in terms that they both understand and will not be tolerated.
So now parents can maybe get a little more sleep…or at least until the toddler decides to pour their own cereal and milk and it goes hilariously wrong. But that is another story for another time.
About Circle of Security
The eight-week program is taking place at CUPS every Wednesday starting Sept. 21, running through to Nov. 9 from 10 am to noon.
For more information and to register, email info@cupscalgary.com or call 403-221-8780.