TTT Joining Document

Come understand Geniekids. Spend some time to read and understand the following to make your participation at Geniekids most meaningful.
 
Dear Genie Trainee,
 
Welcome to the holistic world of making a difference in the world of every child or parent who interact with you.
Let us make you familiar with few things in genie kids. It is important that you understand few procedures in Genie kids to make your interaction with Genie kids more effective, fruitful and memorable.
 
Course
Initially we will take you through conceptual sessions on various aspects of understanding the world of children.
Every session is designed in detail to make you richer in understanding. It is important that you attend ALL the sessions.

Click here to read faq's related to the course
 
Coming on time: Coming on time is imperative as the first morning activity sets up the mood for the rest of the session. Coming late puts pressure on you as well as an additional challenge for the facilitator.

Hence it is impressed upon participants to ensure that you reach Genie kids by 9:55am. We start session at 10am.
 
In case of absence – Read related material, hear recorded sessions uploaded on the Moodle and discuss the session with them. However, there is no replacement of any actual session.
There are many ways to "making up" for sessions missed:

    * The foremost being learning from your colleagues. This whole program is based on collaborative learning - and much learning happens because every participant shares their learning with each other. After the session you would get to read - sessio review - what each one of your peers learned from the session.
    * You could also request one of your colleagues to take you through the session - we promote the concept of "study buddies".
    * We record most sessions and are availabe for download from http://geniekids.4shared.com
    * You would also go through the entire relevant reading, do all the exercises, experiments and assignments. This would cover a lot of session too.
    *   You can also discuss the session with the faculty (after having done allt of the above) - essentially you will clarify your doubts - this is best done through forums.
    * You can also attend (numbers permitting) the same session with the next batch of train the trainer (either classroom version or online version).

TTT Faculty
    * All our trained facilitators do extensive research before they take any sessions with you. All of us have good exposure to work with kids and they are committed and most importantly always ready and open for learning more.
    * However if you feel that any of our faculty are not upto the mark or any sessions you did not get much – feel free to give us feedback. We value very big or small feedback we get – that is how we grow everyday. We will also try to make up!

Assignments

    * You get various assignments as per the sessions progress. We believe that you are only responsible for completion of your assignment. We do not grade you or take any examination – because we believe that “If it’s to be it’s upto me”. Your learning at Genie kids is in your hand – we are just there to guide you.
    * We believe that you take a lot of efforts and pains to attend these classes at geniekids – make arrangements at home, commute from far and commit your time for these three months. Do take the maximum out of the program by putting your full focus on how are you NOW learning and growing.
    * Assignments are good way for you to do more research, read and do things you will learn in class room. Use this three months time to maximize your learning. Eat, sleep and drink

LEARNING.
    * Experiment, discuss, experiment, debate, experiment, ask, experiment, reflect, experiment, write, read and do more experiments!
    * Many a times we get the feedback that we are not "strict" with assignments and session reviews.
    * Our approach for discipline have been same in all the field - weather it is about the parents not bringing their kids in time or trainees not doing assignments.
    * INFORM - Assignment and session reviews are way of learning. Attending session is PASSIVE learning while assignments, session reviews, reading books, research and practicals are ACTIVE learning.
    * PREPARE -assignments are for your be benefit - and it depends on your own initiative
    * APPEAL - remind the first point. Keep doing.
    * ACTION - One of us talk to you in person.
    * NO JUDGMENT - If you do not do the work - does not mean you are "bad student". For us you still remain a "learner".  And we appreciate your efforts to "learn" things inspite of many responsibilities on your head (family, kids, house etc etc.).
    * LOOK for POSITIVE - helps us to be able to work with you positive frame of mind and without any judgment.
    * REALX - no unrelated consequence (no assignments no certificate). Just wait patiently for your bud to open. BELIEF of positive intention helps us to realx. Your intentions remain POSITIVE to us.
    * With being strict (exam, test, marks) we may be able to MAKE all of you do ALL the assignments and session reviews BUT will not be able to make you "self learner" - Our aim is prepare "responsible SELF learner". Our kids need adults who are responsible not the one who preach.

Borrow Books
    * As part of the program you will need to review one book. You can review any book that you have access to or use Geniekids library. Here you can either read at the centre or if you want to issue and take home any books – you get a membership FREE for one book at a time – however you will need to pay Rs 500/ - refundable security deposit. You are only allowed to take Q or QP section books which are meant for facilitators and parents. You can keep the book for a maximum period of two weeks. Please return or re-issue (upto one time) promptly before due date.
    * If you wish to take any books for your kids you need to take separate memberships. Ask for details.

Co-ordinators
   To make sure that your learning is hassle free at Genie kids – we expect each of you to take one responsibility and work for the entire team. – Two or more people can take the responsibility of any one work during the course. Everybody needs to be part of ONE team.
      

• Session Coordinators – Track session reviews are being written. Maintain the blog for the batch - upload photos, videos, views, interviews, and recording on the blog/ website. Make the blog a “alive learning place”. Coordinate with all your batch mates on course material, missed sessions, recording of sessions etc. Change of any session dates or holidays etc. Feedback of participants
• Assignment co-ordinators – keep the track of assignments given, submission dates, research, submission by everybody, documentation, printouts, collation etc. Clarification on assignment, quality of assignment etc. Support and guide your batch mates on assignments. Help on MOODLE system for assignments submission.
  
• Environment co-ordinators – Arrange for get together for interaction after or during the class. Arrange to invite old trainees for more interactions and guidance. Celebrations of b’day etc. Seating arrangements, stationary, projection and A/V, tea – coffee etc. Your session area is ready, suitable and comfortable for that day’s session and for your batch mates. Co-ordinate with admin wherever required.
  
• Research and content Coordinators – As we cover various topics – you as a coordinator research internet, books in Geniekids. You document relevant stuff for your batch mates. Also read and guide to your batch mates on various books available in Genie kid as well as outside. Spend time in Genie Kids library and explore various books in all sections.
  

‘Any Other’ coordinators – as per needs of the group.

Your Involvement
    * This Training course is a beginning of our long lasting relationship in the world of kids and parents. There are many ways by which you can get involved in geniekids mission to reach out to more numbers of parents and children.
    * Keeping time for your family and other commitments – whatever time you can contribute – we welcome all of it. For example you can take part in geniekids
      
      *  Website and online work
      *  Promotion and corporate work
    * Marketing of geniekids
    *Material and resources (kits) development
    *Program development – specially get involved in KHOJ.
Khoj/ Aarohi Volunteer - read more
      
  *      Research and references development
  *     Books design and development
 

More ideas and initiatives welcome
Read more

Center Improvement
    * We take extra care to keep our centre safe and stimulating for kids and learners. If you find anything improper, damaged, erroneous, not appropriate in resources – like torn poster or broken chair or spelling mistake on a poster etc and if you find anything which is unsafe for kids physically or emotionally – please inform at the reception or send an email to geniekids@geniekids.com
    *  We take feedback positively – so give us more. We constantly change ourselves to bring the a holistic environment for every child and parent who connect with us

  Resources
    * We believe in and hence yearn to make resources for our session using junk material. We welcome any idea which can help us to save environment.
    * We also believe in using any resource judiciously – whether its paper, material, water, tea/coffee, time …… pl avoid anything going waste – both from your hands and from anybody else’s.
    * Anything if you think can be used for kids – or if you have idea – which can be implemented using day to day material – share with us.
    * Anything you can add to our library, resource bank play equipment etc is most welcome – in terms of ideas or actual physical material.
    * Join us in our endeavour to create an experiential learning and stimulating environment.

Observation Sessions: - You are supposed to observe atlaest one observation session at geniekids. You will be given date and day when you come for observation (co-ordinate with session co-ordinator). You will be allowed to sit during the one whole session.
    * Come 10 minutes before the kids sessions starts.
    * Switch off your mobile completely.
    * You are a passive observer - a video camera - which see and hears everything - but does not say or interact. So avoid talking to any kid in any situation. Let the facilitator take lead and handle all the situations.
    * Come to observe KIDS not facilitator. Given a similar situation what would you like to do and so on.
    * Come for observation – not for criticism of kids behaviour of facilitation style.
    *Fill up your observation form.
    *Any doubt – discuss ONLY after the session. NO speaking to any child of facilitator during the session – not even break time. Please do not even come to admin to find any detail sor check your accounts. Just ABSORB yourself in the observation.
    *Bring your snacks and be part of the snacks time.
 

Practicals
    * While the conceptual sessions are eye openers - they are still only theory. Till you use those concepts and try out they are incomplete. So practicals are VERY IMPORTANT part of this course. We do not certify you till you finish your practicals. You will have many options of choosing practicals: Minimum Two weeks (or 10 sessions) of practical require:
    * Two weeks of off line preparation – more you prepare outside the class - more you inspire your class. Since while taking sessions you are actual working live with the kids group (with nobody else in the room) – preparation is utmost important.
    *DO research – read – make samples – experiment – take guidance and then start practical.

Working Codes
    * If you bring your child to Genie kids while you are attending classes
    * If a child is less than 3.5 years – bring the child with a care giver.
    * If child is part of Khoj you can take extended day care from 12 to 1pm.
    * If the older child comes directly from school
    * In all the above cases – train the child and/or caregiver. We spend a lot of time in training kids to work independently in the centre. We expect you to train your child also to be comfortable and independent while you are attending the sessions.
    *Show them the place to keep their bag(s), lunch area, toilet etc.
    *Spend some time in library – and understand the working of library – then train your child or caregiver to use the library independently and appropriately.
    *Spend time in sand pit and understand the codes to work in sand pit.
    *Spend time in Genie kids along with your child – see the environment – make your child to understand and then follow the codes.
    *Inform at the reception when you are leaving with your child after the session.
    *Also tell your child that it disturbs everybody if the child comes inside your session area when the session in going on. Train them to tell their problems at the reception or to any caregiver in geniekids. If required they will call you from the session.
    * Hope all this will make your child’s stay comfortable at Genie kids and also your sessions worry free.

  Parking
    * Please do not park in front of any gate. Also do not park in a way that will trouble any commuter on the road. If you come in driver driven car – please do not get dropped or picked up from in front of the gate (even if for few seconds) – this troubles other commuters. We know you are sensitive and take care of others on the road.
    * Let us be the change we want to see in others.
  

Footwear
    * Kindly leave your shoes neatly in the rack. Do not leave them on the floor. Be an example to all the children.
    * Tea-Coffee Mugs
    * We serve tea/ coffee during break. We expect from the participation they keep mugs back in the tray and not leave them on the floor or parapet wall.
 

Care Givers
    * We treat all our caregivers with respect and as equal to us. For us no work is big or small. We request you to also treat them with respect. Also do not demand any work which is not their responsibility. For example - if anything spills in your session area – please take a mop and clean yourself (you will find mop in every toilet and in pantry room).

Get-Together Parties
    * We encourage informal get together among the participants at the centre. But we expect the participant to arrange all by themselves – not involve any admin or caregiver to assist you. Arrange for plates, and any other coordination – should be done by the participants or coordinators only.
 

Session after your course
    * After all your sessions are over and if you want to do any session again or want to make up for the missed session – you can check the dates and session on website and attend any of those. All trainings session will be free for you. If you want to be part of other “parenting programs” conducted by geniekids you will need a pay a nominal fees of Rs50/- per session (as compared to the regular fee of Rs300/-)
 

Call at GenieKids
    * We love to talk to you, but are hard press for time. Avoid calling at office or mobile for small things like whose session, what time or just to know the phone numbers of your batch mates or seniors. For such info connect with your batch mates or keep all the necessary numbers with you. Most up-to-date information related to session is available online – see website. Also connect with your class co-ordinator
    * For any accounts or admin related issues contact Aruna. (aruna@geniekids.com )
    * For any course coordination, course and practicals, additional help and support and guidance contact Aditi or your mentor at geniekids@geniekids.com)
    * We are also introducing the concept of mentoring – where in past participants can mentor you. Will send you the current mentors’ details separately.

 Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced. John Keats