KID’S MOVEMENT & MINDFULNESS
FACILITATOR TRAINING
In-person training in Movement & Mindfulness for Kids
By established and award-winning charity Stretch & Play.
Whether you’re a concerned Parent, Early Years Worker, School Teacher, Pilates Instructor, Yoga Teacher or Coach, Victoria is excited to help you develop movement and mindfulness skills specifically for working with children aged between 3 and 13 years old.
What’s covered in this 3-day course?
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Stretches inspired by Yoga & Pilates
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Games, stories & songs to make the moves fun
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Meditation, mindfulness & breathwork practices
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Stress in Children & Adverse Childhood Experiences
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Anatomy & Physiology for Children
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The business of Stretch & Play – setting up, marketing, and Health & Safety of running children’s classes
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You will receive a 75+ page Facilitator Manual which includes lesson plans for each age group (3-7 & 8-13)
- You will gain one year’s access to the online course and will be able to download the videos to keep for life
Pre-Requisites
Ideally, students will hold a valid Level 2 Fitness Qualification, Level 3 Diploma in Mat Pilates or a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certificate or be working towards it.
An Education or Early Years Qualification is also accepted as is a sincere interest in working with this age group so don’t let a lack of qualifications put you off!
You can contact Victoria to discuss on training@ordinarypeopleacademy.com.
This course is accredited by IPHM (International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine) allowing you to get insurance and teach anywhere in the world!
You changed the way I think about teaching yoga to children e.g through story telling and getting them involved in the story. It is wonderful for their imagination and creativity skills, not to mention a lot of fun!
The resources are excellent and well organised. Victoria is a lovely person who creates a welcoming atmosphere. She is passionate about the well-being of young people and was a great teacher. I feel lucky to have experienced this course.
COURSE DATES:
This course takes place in person at the University of Strathclyde over three days on on 3rd / 10th / 17th March 2024.
We start at 10 am and work until 5 pm each day (assessment day may be shorter depending on numbers).
COURSE FORMAT:
The Stretch & Play course, like all our courses, runs according to the StretchBodyMind principles of FOUNDATION, EXPRESSION & VISION.
FOUNDATION:
Rationale behind the programme – why
Rationale behind the programme – how
Anatomy & Physiology of Children
EXPRESSION:
Stretch activities – action songs and stretches
Play activities – drama games and relaxation / mindfulness
VISION:
The Business of Stretch & Play
Stress in Children
Health & Safety
Both teachers on the course were perfect in their presentation, very knowledgeable and had the ability to make us all feel welcome and comfortable.
INVESTMENT
This 3-day course costs £695
and can be paid in full or in instalments.
(A 20% Earlybird discount is available until 31st January 2024)
BECOME A STRETCH & PLAY FACILITATOR
The bonus of this programme is all the themed lessons and songs and activities that you made which are fantastic, I loved them!
Such a very comprehensive and well put together course. I can definitely use some of this material in my classes, or as a stand-alone Stretch and Play class.
TUTORS:
Hi! I’m Victoria Cunningham and I am the Founder of Stretch & Play. I am a trained youth worker and SYT (Senior Yoga Teacher) who is responsible for all Stretch & Play’s training programmes.
In addition to my academic qualifications (we’re talking an MA Honours in English Literature and Sociology from the University of Glasgow and an MSc in Marketing from the University of Strathclyde) and my Pilates and Yoga certificates, I hold qualifications in community development, conflict management, facilitation skills and community drama, all of which equipped me wonderfully to create and develop Stretch & Play.
<<< This is me teaching a Stretch & Play session in 2008. The hair has changed a lot since then but the work remains the same!
I’m Tally, and I’m so excited to combine my experience and passion for child care and yoga teaching to co-facilitate the Stretch & Play training programme with the amazing Victoria.
Supporting child development is one of my passions and I’ve been working in childcare for many years, which started while supporting my mum as a childminder while I was growing up. In 2012-2013 I then worked as a nursery nurse, and I especially enjoyed telling stories and getting the children up and dancing. Since 2019 I’ve been nannying for families around Glasgow, which is how I got to know Victoria – through looking after her wonderful son!
Alongside this, I’ve been practicing yoga since 2013 and qualified as a yoga teacher in 2020. I currently teach yoga at Studio 70 and at Category is Books, and I love bringing playfulness, curiosity, and fun into the practice. I’ve completed trainings in Vinyasa, Yin, Breathwork, Yoga Nidra, Women’s Yoga, and hands-on assists. I find it so rewarding to be able to use the knowledge and experience I’ve gained to help you bring movement and relaxation into your days.
I’m really enjoying sharing my and Victoria’s combined expertise through Stretch & Play, so you can help bring more movement and mindfulness into the lives of the children you support.
HISTORY
Stretch & Play started life as a limited company and registered charity where, from 2006 to 2009, I received awards and support from various funders including the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II); UnLtd – the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs; Invest Northern Ireland Social Entrepreneurship Programme and Community Foundation for Northern Ireland’s Difference Makers Programme to train Facilitators and deliver bespoke classes for groups such as:
Watch this interview with Stretch & Play Founder Victoria Cunningham to hear more about:
- the importance of movement and mindfulness to childhood trauma recovery
- how Yoga and Pilates provide safe, non-competitive modalities of movement for children
and
- holistic solutions to the ongoing childhood obesity crisis.
ACCREDITATION
BE SOCIABLE
