Circle of Security Parenting

Circle of Security Parenting™

The Circle of Security Parenting™ program is a gentle, evidence-based parenting program based around the idea that children thrive when they feel safe, understood, and supported by their caregiver. The program helps parents learn how to recognise their child’s cues, respond to their needs, and build a secure, trusting relationship that supports healthy development.

Together we will explore how your child moves between needing the safety of a parent and wanting to go out and explore the world around them. When parents understand this “circle,” it becomes easier to support children through big emotions, challenging behaviours, and everyday moments.

Our goal is for parents to leave the program feeling more confident in their parenting, with a deeper understanding of their child and practical ways to nurture a secure and connected relationship.

The Circle of Security parenting program is for soon to be parents, parents of infants, newborns or toddlers or seasoned and experienced parents.
- Understanding your child’s emotional needs.
- Recognising cues and signals children use to communicate.
- Supporting your child through big feelings.
- Building secure attachment and connection.
- Helping your child to feel safe to explore and grow.
- Reflecting on your own responses and parenting patterns.
The Circle of Security Program ™ runs over 8 weeks, with weekly sessions scheduled for these 8 weeks. Depending on the intake of the program, these sessions will either be face to face or online. Timing of sessions will vary to suit a range of different needs.
Due to the nature of the program, attendance is required for all 8 sessions. The sessions are not able to be recorded for privacy reasons.
The Circle of Security Program ™ goes over the following ideas and concepts:
- The Circle: the circle gives parents and caregivers a visual support to help them identify their child’s attachment needs - when they need hands to hold them, hands to help them explore and hands to be their safe base.
- The concept of “being with” your child - you’ll learn how to sit with your child’s emotions and understand that you don’t always have to be “doing something” to help them.
- Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, Kind: learn how to set boundaries for your child while still being their safe base, showing them compassion and love.
- Rupture and Repair: understand what rupture may look like between you and your child, and the importance of repairing this rupture (and how to do so).
- The “Good Enough Parent”: learn that a “good enough” parent is good enough, and that kids don’t need perfect parents, but instead present ones.
- “Shark Music”: what are our triggers as parents, helping us to recognise them, respond to them and how to support our children when we are triggered.