ConsciousDiscipline.com ®2020 Loving Guidance, Inc. Baby Doll Circle Time™

Baby Doll Circle Time®: Forming connections with all children including those who have experienced trauma or toxic stress

Presented by Elizabeth Montero-Cefalo, Conscious Discipline Master Instructor

Baby Doll Circle Time™ is about creating and sustaining healthy bonds between children and caregivers

Conscious Discipline for Infant and Toddlers 3 ConsciousDiscipline.com © 2012 Loving Guidance, Inc.

Brain Smart Start for Infants and ToddlersPhysiologically and neurologically helps us change states

Brain Smart Start Attunement for All Interactions

The Brain Smart Start is a way to help children and adults reach an optimal level of arousal for

learning, engagement and attunement. It consist of four parts:

1. Activity to Unite: Are we on the same page? Unite through joint attention.

2. Activity to Disengage Stress: Are the children organized or in distress? Download calm.

3. Activity to Connect: Are children responding to connection? Requires attunement (a dance).

4. Activity to Commit: Am I present, preoccupied or dismissing their inner state?

Activity to Unite

This activity is about helping everyone to be on the same page as much as possible.

Joint attention is the process of sharing one’s experience of observing an object or event by

following gaze or pointing gestures. Joint attention is a fundamental goal during the first year of

life and critical for the development of executive skills.

Activity to Disengage the Stress Response

This activity must be done by the staff all day everyday. The adult’s energy regulates the energy of

the children. The classroom is not safe without calm, attuned, present adults. Help toddlers learn

the four calming strategies of Conscious Discipline®.

S.T.A.R = Smile, Take a deep breath, And Relax.

Drain = Tense your arms, shoulders and neck, then relax with a ssssshh.

Balloon = Arms on top of the head and breathe in, raising your arms like a balloon. Exhale with

a “pbpbpbpbpb."

Pretzel = Cross arms and cross legs. Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Breathe.

For infants: Hold them on your chest or lap and download a state of calm through

deep belly breathing and relaxing.

Connection = Cooperation The motivation to behave comes from being in relationship.

Connection literally wires the brain for impulse control and willingness

Ingredients for Connection: ♥ Eye contact ♥ Gentle, appropriate touch ♥ Being present in the moment ♥ Playful interaction

ConsciousDiscipline.com ®2020 Loving Guidance, Inc. Baby Doll Circle Time™

Joint Attention: Infant - Caregiver - Object Interaction

Joint attention is the process of sharing one’s experience of observing an object or event by following gaze or pointing gestures. Joint attention is a fundamental goal during the first year of life and critical for the development of the following:

• Theory of mind: Other people have different perceptions and builds perspective taking. • Social referencing: Looking to significant other in ambiguous situations to make sense

and get information, reading the faces of others. • Language development: Builds language, both expressive and receptive • Impulsive control and attention skills: Predictive of emotional regulation at 24 months.

ConsciousDiscipline.com ®2020 Loving Guidance, Inc. Baby Doll Circle Time™ Conscious Discipline for Infant and Toddlers 7 ConsciousDiscipline.com © 2012 Loving Guidance, Inc.

Baby Doll Circle TimeGoals

� Enhance attachment

� Increase self-regulation

� Promote trust through joyful interactions

� Foster attunement skills in caregivers

Baby Doll Circle Time™ is about creating and sustaining healthy bonds between children and caregivers.

Baby Doll Circle Time Structure

Step 1 Getting the BabiesGet your baby, get your baby, get your baby, time to play.

Step 2 Beginning-Spacial PositioningMy baby’s in my arms,

My baby’s in my arms,

This is my baby, my baby’s in my arms.

Step 3 Middle ConnectionsAll around the room I look,

Where is my baby?

I look behind my back and

BOO! Baby was hiding.

Step 4 Soothing Cuddle TimeMy baby’s being rocked,

My baby’s being rocked,

This is my baby, my baby’s being rocked.

Step 5 Transition / Put the Babies AwayBye bye baby,

Bye bye baby,

Bye bye baby, we’ll play again some day.

6 Conscious Discipline for Infant and Toddlers ConsciousDiscipline.com © 2012 Loving Guidance, Inc.

I Love You RitualsMaking the shift from control to connection

Rituals: Creating a Caring Culture

Rituals are the most important part of creating a School Family™. The goal of rituals is connection.

Rituals are sacred spaces designated for togetherness and unity. They soothe the lower centers of

the brain and produce a calming effect. They are the glue that holds the School Family together.

Twinkle, TwinkleTwinkle, twinkle, little star,

What a wonderful child you are!

With bright eyes,

And nice round cheeks.

Talented person,

From head to feet.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

What a wonderful child you are!

Connection = Cooperation

� The motivation to behave comes from being in relationships.

� Connection literally wires the brain for impulse control and willingness.

Ingredients for Connection Connection

��Eye contact ��Activates

��Gentle, appropriate touch ��Impulse control

��Being present in the moment ��Attention system

��Playful interaction ��Disconnected children are disruptive

Conscious Discipline for Infant and Toddlers 7 ConsciousDiscipline.com © 2012 Loving Guidance, Inc.

Baby Doll Circle TimeGoals

� Enhance attachment

� Increase self-regulation

� Promote trust through joyful interactions

� Foster attunement skills in caregivers

Baby Doll Circle Time™ is about creating and sustaining healthy bonds between children and caregivers.

Baby Doll Circle Time Structure

Step 1 Getting the BabiesGet your baby, get your baby, get your baby, time to play.

Step 2 Beginning-Spacial PositioningMy baby’s in my arms,

My baby’s in my arms,

This is my baby, my baby’s in my arms.

Step 3 Middle ConnectionsAll around the room I look,

Where is my baby?

I look behind my back and

BOO! Baby was hiding.

Step 4 Soothing Cuddle TimeMy baby’s being rocked,

My baby’s being rocked,

This is my baby, my baby’s being rocked.

Step 5 Transition / Put the Babies AwayBye bye baby,

Bye bye baby,

Bye bye baby, we’ll play again some day.

Materials Checklist: ☐ multiethnic baby dolls ☐ large basket/container ☐ small blankets ☐ doll/preemie diapers ☐ lotion and Band-Aids ☐ baby wipes