Baby’s Place - a parent and infant class with a difference
He rite te paharakeke ki te whānau
Family is like a harakeke bush
The growth and development of our new citizens, our future leaders, begins at infancy. As the above whakatauki entails, Baby’s Place acknowledges that babies have an important place in our society, their place is at the centre of the whānau.
Baby’s Place is a 10 week course that provides a community of support in which parents are empowered to learn alongside their babies; to experience a calm, peaceful and respectful environment in which to grow their understanding of child development and develop a secure attachment relationship with their baby.
Baby's Place, 2017
“Baby’s Place and the environment of nurture created by
Bronwen and Kiri is something I look forward to every week”
Based on 60 years of extensive research, these parent-infant classes provide quality education and support by providing parents with the tools to understand the biological needs of their baby and to respond to these in ways which recognise the baby’s capabilities. Research found that children who are offered attention, consistency and respect from their caregiver become authentic, confident and competent individuals that make valued contributions to their community and to society.
Baby's Place, 2017
Furthermore the Pikler philosophy that this course is based on strongly aligns with the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi. The course is about developing a partnership between the parent and infant. It is run on a participatory model and develops parents’ understanding of child development, recognising the importance of protecting our tamariki, our taonga. It supports the wellbeing of both the parents and the babies, developing the baby’s security and sense of belonging.
Baby’s Place contributes to building strong, connected, and creative communities.
“This course should be taken by all parents – it helps to create a loving, connected relationship between parent and child – where every other course (SPACE, antenatel, Plunket etc) helps to further the divide by creating expectations around age-related milestones, schedules etc.”
“Baby’s Place is so well named –
it truly is a place for babies to feel seen, heard, nurtured, loved and safe.”
Facilitators
Kiri Olds
Kiri Olds is passionate about children and the impact that a positive and respectful early childhood experience can have on our communities and our future. A Graduate from Victoria University in 2015 with a BA in Te Reo Māori, Māori Studies, and Environmental Studies she has natural skills in communication, organisation and a strong sense of community. At age 17 she attended Dance with me in the Heart, a workshop run by Pennie Brownlee on the culture of respect and the Pikler philosophy. Since then she has co-facilitated five Baby’s Place and Toddler’s Place courses and has run Treaty of Waitangi workshops for Early Childhood Teachers. She believes that the culture of respect, based on Pikler philosophy, has the power the change the world.
Bronwen Olds
A parent of four children, Bronwen’s vocation is focused on creating and supporting just and respectful relationships. This focuses on partnerships between children, parents, educators, and between Māori and Tauiwi/Pakeha. She has worked professionally for over 30 years supporting children and young people’s development in community, educational and government organisations. This includes her work lecturing at Victoria University in Early Childhood Education for 15 years. Bronwen’s recent work has focused on the Professional Learning Development for people working in the Early Childhood sector and designing and delivering tailored learning for community organisations. She has a Masters of Social Science, First Class Hons (Waikato), and the NZ Playcentre Federation Certificate. She is a trained leader in the Pikler approach, Incredible Years programme, and facilitates courses for parents and babies. She is an honorary life member of the Hutt Playcentre Association and the President of the Wellington Branch of OMEP (an international early childhood association).
To register or enquire please contact Bronwen Olds
ph - 027 677 8052
email - bronwen.olds@gmail.com
