'A Space and A Place' Richard Rose Early Years Training Day, Sage Gateshead 4.9.19

Richard Rose is a globally renown expert in Life Story Work, he works with children and young people that face challenging circumstances. His specialism is Child Trauma Intervention. He is Professor of Education at Northampton University and Director of Child Trauma Intervention Services Ltd

https://www.childtraumaintervention.com/about-ctis/richard-rose/

Life Story Work is a collection of relationships and behaviours that can provide children separated from their birth families the opportunity to know about their past in a way that is meaningful to them in the present.

Over 80 people, including Music Leaders and social workers, attended a day’s training at the Thought Foundation in Birtley, Durham. delivered by Richard and the CoMusica Inclusion Training team. Information, practical tips, approaches and ideas were shared during the day which was extremely thought-provoking. Richard said we are all shaped by what we have experienced: “All behaviour is communication.”

Leading on exercises with application across different settings, Richard demonstrated the concept of ‘serve and return’ – back and forth interactions that are used to build a strong foundation in a child’s brain. When we are sensitive and responsive to a young child’s signals and needs, we create an environment rich in ‘serve and return’ experiences. Their absence is a serious threat to a child’s development and wellbeing.  

Richard spoke about the rhythm of life which forms before birth through the synchronised heartbeats of mother and child. Referencing work by Harvard University’s Centre on the Developing Child, he spoke about music can help stabilise a young child in a state of agitation, how it can slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduce levels of stress hormones.

Most people in the room agreed that they knew someone, an adults or a child that used their fingers as a metronome, which Richard said is a way to keep the heart calm.

“We find a tempo to allow us to express, manage or feel relief for how we feel.”

Richard spoke about the benefits of using music as a creative process where children and young people “can sing out, write out, or play out some of their confusion, anger, thoughts – they are able to hold it.” This is demonstrative, but also “allows them that healing opportunity, as well as the opportunity to be heard.”

Before he left for Scotland, Richard told the CoMusica team that his Desert Island Disc would be Vangelis ‘Chariots of Fire’ because memories of being a choir boy were some of his fondest, a place where he could switch off.

“With music, you are taking away the rush of the world, giving a space and place.”