The Dilemma of the Human Brain

Left or Right - The eternal fight

You probably know that your brain is divided into two different hemispheres that are interlinked and interact with each other, but still have their very own challenges and tasks to manage. But do you know what exactly your right brain hemisphere is doing? And why we need the left brain hemisphere? How are these two halves intertwined to provide us with such a holistic and complex cerebral system?

Renowned psychiatrist and writer Iain McGilchrist explains the dilemma of the human brain in an entertaining and colourful way underpinned with graphic elements. His lecture combines a humorous approach with a serious topic and ends with Albert Einstein’s words:

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant, but has forgotten the gift."

 The Divided Brain

 

Click 'Play' to see the whole video stream.

Children Massaging Children (CMC) Facilitator Course for Health Professionals in 2012

Child Connection Trust proudly presents…

its first New Zealand team of CMC Facilitators. Finally, after years of hard work we have made the crucial step and invited to our first Course for Health Professionals in April this year. And we are lucky to have found some truly amazing women, who are going to deliver our award-winning CMC programme to educational institutions around New Zealand.

Day 1

The course took place at idyllic Retreat Centre Kawai Purapura in Albany. Lying hidden in a piece of rich, green forest the facilities serve as a source of tranquillity and represent a haven far away from the every day stress. The perfect place for our CMC Course.

We quickly got to know each other over a good cup of tea before the course programme eventually started. The first day covered the laws of bonding and attachment, two very important components for proper development during early childhood. We had a big portion of nutritious theory peppered with videos and a healthy pinch of interactivity and discussion. Do you know which is the touchiest country on the globe? You may make an educated guess on who’s one of the lowest touch cultures. That’s what we are working on!

Day 2

Easter Sunday started bright with a sunbath on the Retreat Centre’s cosy terrace. Boosted with a whole lot of good vibrations we started into the second round suddenly finding ourselves in the role of children in the classroom with Eva being our teacher. She assigned us to sit down on the towels we had brought for today’s session getting together in pairs. “Is everyone comfortable and do you have enough room? My name is Eva Scherer and I am a message therapist,” our new class teacher started. “Who knows what a massage therapist does?” The first question and we actually were able to answer it. What a great feeling!

We enjoyed a very relaxing hour of Eva teaching us the “Children Massaging Children” techniques. We rubbed each other’s back, caressed each other’s hair and stroked each other’s hands. The experience was completed by the introduction of some delicious fragrances. We were sad when the lesson ended but proud as we were given our Diploma for Little People. Well, no, that’s actually not the diploma that makes you a CMC Facilitator. But after analysing the massage lesson and being introduced to our new role as official distributors of the CMC programme we had finally made it there as well. The Certificate of Completion was smiling at us. We were smiling back, as you can see…

Our amazing New Zealand team of CMC Facilitators!
(from left to right: Fenja Villeumier, Lesley Bongiovanni, Nick Russel, Julee Stanley, Toni O'Daly, Jenni Fernandez, Reah Monet, Yoka Hermanides, Eva Scherer)

See all pictures on our Child Connection Facebook page!

Children Growing Up in the Digital Age

 Our latest recommendation:

FREE Webinar “Children Growing Up in the Digital Age: Opportunities and Pitfalls”

by the Institute Of HeartMath

Presented by: Linda Stone

Hosted by: Institute of HeartMath Education Coordinator Jeff Goelitz

Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012

Times: 11 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Noon and 6 – 7 p.m. PDT (GMT minus 8 hours)

NZ Times:

Sunday, 22 April 2012 6 – 7 a.m.

Sunday, 22 April 2012 1 - 2 p.m.

Free Parent Child Workshop at Glenfield Community Centre

It was a very rewarding experience, both for the parents and the children that came along, and for myself.

Some parents were surprised to learn that by developing bonding with their children it will make a positive influence on their academic performance, and to their resistance to drugs when they get older.

The "Massage a Back" technique went very smoothly, all the children enjoyed it, but the real excitement came when they were asked to smell the massage waxes donated by Tui Balmes that were to be used for the "Hands" massage technique. Which one to choose? Both smell so nice. Finally they all agreed with “Pacific Night” fragrance. The room was filled with beautiful fragrance. After the children had received the massage, they started to massage their mums. The last technique – "Head" massage was done in a fully relaxing mood. 

Farida attended classes with her 3 and 6 years old daughters. She is an IT specialist but decided to quit her job and fully devote her time to raise her children – a full time mum. Her children had an idea: Let’s massage our dad when he comes back from work this afternoon!

The 2 hours went very fast. At the end of the workshop mums received a CD with the massage songs, and the children, small sachets of massage waxes and they all promised to use the techniques at home. 

Intergenerational Forum

The Intergenerational Forum on Wednesday 28 of March at Mt Albert War Memorial, engaging community groups, local and regional agencies was the first and very successful event.

For more details contact: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Radio Interview

It was my pleasure to be interviewed by Pat Armitstead on Radio Planet-FM.

We discussed the Child Connection programmes and why they are so vital to childrens' development.

You can listen to a short excerpt below:

Toddlers Day Out

What a wonderful event for kids and the family. Organised by the community for the community – Toddlers Day Out on 3rd of March 2012  - Again!
This year's theme was Love & Affection and that’s what our programmes are all about.  During the event we made excellent contacts with professionals that work with children, and who are interested about learning Secure Attachment building skills.

Thank you Elaine and Surika from Waitakere Violence Free for your wonderful work to make this event happen.