Gentle Teaching has played a large role in my growth as a person over the past year since I started supporting with Creative Options Regina. Throughout my support times, training, and life outside supporting, I have learned that Gentle Teaching is not turned on and off like a switch. Instead, it is something we take with us and apply wherever we go. After learning about Gentle Teaching, I realized that my attitude toward someone should not depend on their behaviour. Even through rough moments, whether it be at school, during a support time, or while I’m spending time with family or friends, unconditional love is at the foundation of my relationships.

The foundation and philosophies of Gentle Teaching allow relationships to grow and flourish while also helping maintain them forever. Especially with those I support, I cannot expect them to feel safe around me if we have not created a strong, sound relationship. I have learned that even one moment where Gentle Teaching is not at play can harm the relationship for a long time. This is why it is so important to practice Gentle Teaching in all parts of my life.

Gentle Teaching has also changed my outlook on harmful or hurtful moments in my life. Before supporting at COR, I had the mindset that if someone upset me, it was to hurt me intentionally. After taking the Gentle Teaching 1 and 2 trainings, I learned that it is almost never intentional. Instead, the person may have their own struggles at that moment which may be at play. In these scenarios, I have tried to take a step back and try to create a safe environment for the other person to show them that I am there for them.

While Gentle Teaching has helped me grow and develop as a person, there is always room for improvement. I aspire to look at the bigger picture more often in my life, rather than focusing on one small situation. For example, sometimes, it is easy to get caught up in a situation and act based on the emotions I am feeling in that moment. While I have learned from Gentle Teaching that patience and compassion are key, sometimes it is easier said than done. To grow even more as a person, I need to continue to put what I have learned into practice, even in the toughest moments to further strengthen my relationships.

As someone who has grown to love the purpose and values of Gentle Teaching, I think it is important to share my knowledge with those around me. Growing up, those closest to me rarely practiced gentle teaching. Instead, behaviour change was the number one priority. As time went on, it was clear that focusing on changing how a person acts and trying to change their behaviour rarely works. Instead, loving someone unconditionally can be all they need to flourish. With the knowledge I know now, I can teach others how Gentle Teaching can be extremely impactful and inspiring when implemented as a way to live.

Celeste

COR Family Member