IRD DUHALLOW | PROGRESS REPORT
2020 - 2021
Youth and Education Technology, Social Media and Family Life Webinar The prevalence of technology on a macro and micro level in the modern world cannot be overstated. Throughout every aspect of our lives we are faced with the complexities and necessities of technological solutions and interventions in relation to communication, learning and recreation. For the younger generations upcoming this has become a way of life. High levels of screen time has the potential to create social disconnection within families, whereby children become increasingly disassociated from their families and increasingly attached to online gaming, and in some cases chatting online. Technology and screens now dominate family life and this is especially the case since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this talk, Professor John Sharry presented practical principles for establishing healthy family habits around using technology in the home. Adolescent Anxiety Management – A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Parents Programme Parents are the primary teachers and nurturers- this programme aimed to equip parents with the knowledge to understand the importance of their children’s well-being. Positive well-being is critical to ensuring children reach their potential, grow and sustain meaningful social relationships, care for themselves, learn effectively and contribute to society. IRD Duhallow Youth and Education working group received funding from Tusla to run the Adolescent Anxiety Management Programme. Facilitated by Noreen Horan, Clinical Psychologist, and Kay O’ Sullivan, Mental Health Nurse and CBT Therapist, this interactive, educational 2-week online programme used a very practical Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic (CBT) approach to help parents support their adolescents in managing their anxieties.
Freemount Youth Space was created with the support of LEADER funding to provide a safe, inclusive space for children and teenagers in the region.
training with AgriKids for the schools in the greater Duhallow and Mid Cork regions with 30 schools participating. AgriKids positively engages, educates and empowers children to become Farm Safety Ambassadors. This engaging approach to farm safety education will serve to continually empower children to be safer farmers in the future and as the approach also requires and includes the input of parents and guardians, children are sharing the learning outcomes with all.
Mini First Aid Course for Kids First aid training is a vital life skill and provides children with the knowledge base for dealing with medical emergencies they may be faced with. IRD Duhallow held a Mini First Aid Course for Kids aged between 8-11 also organised two days in Shrone National School. In the 3 ½ hour session, children learned to deal with bumps, burns, breaks and bleeding, carry out CPR and deal with choking. The class was practical, with lots of fun and involved lots of activities for the children to enjoy.
The children of Newmarket Afterschools had noticed a very tired bee in the grass that was struggling to fly so they offered it some sugary water to help revive it; here is Molly Fitzgerald, Orlaith Cahill, Sophie Sheehan, Danny Fitzgerald, Ruby Fleming and Isla Hughes observing the bee.
Empowering Parents Webinar IRD Duhallow Youth and Education Working Group organised an Empowering Parents Webinar to address the current emerging needs of families to survive the stress attached to the Covid-19 crisis. The webinar was facilitated by Deirdre Holland Hannon; a mom of two and Behaviour Specialist. The training supported parents to understand that children are unique individuals who express their feelings and emotions through their behaviour. Deirdre took parents through the Empowering Parents Approach to nurturing positive behaviour by using tried and tested techniques such as: Wipe the Slate Clean Approach, managing and reacting to strong emotions, a Positive Approach to unwanted behaviour and tools to support feelings of unpredictability and uncertainty.
Rhys Cummins who was a participant of the Kids First Aid programme.
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