The Children’s Virtues Development Project has designed a complete facilitator training and support program to provide the knowledge, practical experience and support for  kindergarten and primary school teachers to:

• Understand the importance of character education
• Deeply recognize their own crucial role in modeling the virtues for young children
• Become motivated to develop their own virtues
• Gain the skills necessary to develop the virtues in children
• Learn to effectively facilitate the ‘Virtues in Us’™ Character Education lessons

The ‘Virtues in Us’  Facilitator Training Workshop is offered regularly throughout the year. It is an intensive two week workshop, requiring full time commitment from all participants for the entire two week period. Each day contains both theory and practice segments including group exercises, individual reflection time, games and activities to achieve the above objectives. 

Selection
The training participants are selected by school principles based on their service orientation and their demonstrated interest in and commitment to character education of children.

Certification
Upon the completion of the Training Workshop, the participants receive a Certificate of Character Education from The Children’s Virtues Development Project (CVDP) certifying them to conduct the ‘Virtues in Us’™ program at their kindergartens or schools.

Facilitator Support Program
Consultation/Action/Reflection
During the first year of implementation, the facilitator is gaining experience with character education and the ‘Virtues in Us’™ curriculum.  During this period, in order to strengthen the facilitator’s commitment and maintain the quality and the spirit of the program, it is important that facilitators have the opportunity to consult  with each other and The Children’s Virtues Development Project staff on their experiences, take action and reflect on the resulting learning.  To provide this opportunity, the following additional support is provided to all facilitators:

1. The Children’s Virtues Development Project (CVDP) staff will visit the participating schools to answer questions on site and provide support to the new facilitator.
2. During the first year, on an average interval of three months, The CVDP will arrange a one-day meeting  for the team of trained facilitators to get together, share experiences, ask questions and deepen their understanding of the program, as well as re-energize and reaffirm their commitment to character education.  At these gatherings, the CVDP staff also consult with the facilitators regarding the delivery of the ‘Virtues in Us’ program at their schools. The feedback received during these consultation sessions, assists CVDP to continually improve the program and ensure its effectiveness in Chinese kindergartens and schools.
3. An on going email support/feedback is also available to all facilitators.

Upcoming Training Date
The next ‘Virtues in Us’ Facilitator Training Workshop will be held on July 12-24th, 2009. For more information and registration, please contact the CVDP office by phone at (010) 58697540 etx. 807 or 136 4114 2392 or by email at virtuesinus@yahoo.com.

Cost

The Facilitator Training Workshop fee is 1000 RMB.