SYSTEMS IN EDUCATION: FOR SCHOOLS

A systems approach for professionals working with children experiencing problems at school

Seminar 1:  TOO MUCH ATTENTION?

A small taste of Bowen Family Systems Theory in the Classroom 

Could well-intentioned focus and attention on a child from a parent and teacher hinder, rather than help, a child’s learning and well–being at school? 

This seminar will begin to explore three of Bowen’s Family Systems concepts that provide a different perspective in understanding children’s learning and behaviour at school, offering some food for thought for educators:

The Child focus: taking a systems view to better understand:

• Too much nurturing vs strict limits
• Too much praise and too many rewards vs punishments
• Too much individual focus vs no attention

Triangles: understanding how anxiety spreads in a system from home to school

• How teachers can inadvertently be drawn into family relationships that promote dependency over independence. 

Differentiation of Self: being understanding of:

• Reciprocal patterns in relationships that occur naturally
• The over-functioning and under-functioning parent in the family doing their best
• The over-functioning teacher and the under-functioning child:- breaking the cycle 

 “An intense child focus, which can be negative or positive, presents significant developmental challenges to young people as they react to others.  Being under the intense scrutiny of caregivers leaves them little emotional breathing space to grow thinking, feeling and acting for themselves” (J. Brown, 2008)

Facilitator:  Jill Grundy has thirty years of teaching experience including school leadership and classroom teaching (Kindergarten to Year 6). In the past eight years she has specialised in gifted education, teaching Opportunity Classes. She holds a Certificate of Gifted Education from the University of NSW and is currently combining studies at The F.S.I., in the Certificate of Family Systems with a Master of Education.