Introduction to Using Empathy Dolls Workshop - Huddersfield - 13th December 2007

ALL ATTENDEES RECEIVE A FREE DOLL WORTH £40 TO TAKE AWAY. Please see attached booking form for more details. Only limited places remain.
Download Booking form here >

Using Empathy Dolls - Article Nursery World 15th March 2007 >

What is Empathy?
Empathy is one person’s ability to metaphorically step into the shoes of another individual and feeling what it is like from their perspective.

Why is Empathy important?
Developing Empathy form a key part of all learning frameworks designed for working with young children in the UK. It is a key skill identified in both Birth to Three Matters and Foundation Stage learning and will inevitably feature strongly in the new Early Years Foundation Stage guidelines. Evidence has shown that the development of Empathy is closely linked to a decline in both aggressive and antisocial behaviours. It is logical to assume that the child who is able to identify emotions in themselves and subsequently in others is more likely to understand the potential impact of their actions on others before entering into antisocial behaviours.

What is the Empathy Dolls way of working?
The Empathy Dolls approach combines elements of best practice from areas across the early year’s sector. It combines a doll which becomes a permanent additional member of the setting with an approach which enables children to explore emotions and feelings evoked by everyday experiences. The approach focuses on giving all children the opportunity to develop their emotional intelligence and empathy without focusing on anti-discriminatory issues (something which defines it from the Persona Dolls approach). Empathy Dolls are about celebrating the uniqueness of every child we will ever come into contact with in our work with children. It is about developing an ethos within our settings where children feel valued and able to discuss and explore their emotions without the spotlight falling on any one individual.

What does an Empathy Dolls workshop include?
Each workshop package is designed to be fun, interactive and creative. At the heart of our philosophy is the sharing of ideas and experiences between the professionals on our workshops. EVERY INDIVIDUAL ATTENDING AN EMPATHY DOLLS WORKSHOP IS GIVEN A SOFT BODIED DOLL TO TAKE AWAY SO YOU CAN GET GOING STRAIGHT AWAY!!!!! (EXCLUDING INDIVIDUAL SETTING PACKAGES WHERE A SET NUMBER OF DOLLS ARE INCLUDED).

Our Packages
All packages are suitable for anyone working with young children including teachers, nursery staff and childminders.

An Introduction to Empathy Dolls (2 hr package)
Ideal for use as a twilight training this basic introduction the Empathy Dolls approach gives you an insight into the philosophy behind the development of emotional intelligence and empathy in young children and allows an opportunity to experience the process of developing a dolls “story” for use in their setting.

Cost £60 per person (includes a doll worth £40 for every attendee)
Minimum 25 Maximum 30 people

Whole Day Workshops – 9.30am-3.30pm
Based on the Introductory workshop the whole day package looks at the development of the Empathy Dolls approach in much more depth and helps individuals to begin to apply the approach to their own settings way of working. It develops the idea of children’s emotional intelligence and an understanding of how the dolls can be used in particular situations to help children develop their emotional skills.

Cost £100 per person (including a doll worth £40 for each attendee).
Minimum 20 Maximum 25 people.

Individual Setting Packages
A tailored package which can range from 2-3 hrs aimed at involving all individuals from any one setting. Following the format of the Introduction to Empathy Dolls workshop the package is for delivery onsite and includes a set number of dolls to allow you the head start you will want after the training!! Ideal as an extended staff meeting or a half day INSET package.

Cost £600 – Includes 6 soft bodied dolls worth approx £240

To buy additional dolls please visit the Asco Educational Supplies Website >

Empathy Dolls as Best Practice for EYP's (Page 60) >
Empathy Dolls Article in Primary Choices Magazine Jan 2007 >
Early Ideas Book Shop >

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