Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Industry-University Cooperation's Jeonbuk Support Team for Community Child Centers announced that on the 28th it conducted 'Communicative Parenting Education' in the education room of the Jeonju Korean Traditional Culture Center as part of the "Support Project for Children Growing as Themselves."

This program was organized to support the healthy development and social adaptation of children with borderline intellectual functioning (slow learners). It provided a forum for caregivers, staff of community child centers, and local residents to communicate centered on the child and to increase understanding of the child. In particular, it focused on creating an environment in which families and the local community understand the child's characteristics and can build relationships at the child's pace and level.

The 'Communicative Parenting Education' was conducted as communication-centered training to help caregivers and community members surrounding children with borderline intellectual functioning (slow learners) gain a broader understanding of the child and form positive relationships in daily life. Participants reflected on the meaning of empathy and listening needed in relationships with children and examined ways to communicate by understanding each other's positions through various situations that may arise in daily life.

This training was especially meaningful because it included not only caregivers but also staff of community child centers and local residents. The healthy growth of a child is not achieved by the efforts of a family or an institution alone; it is more stably supported when all members of the surrounding community share attention and understanding. The program thus provided an opportunity for the local community to collectively observe and communicate about the child.

It then presented case examples of conflicts that can occur between parents and children in daily life and guided participants on how to engage in appropriate dialogue by examining the background and emotions behind a child's behavior rather than immediately criticizing or judging it. Through this, attendees had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of children with borderline intellectual functioning (slow learners) and to learn effective communication strategies that can be practiced at home and in the community.

Choi Hyun-young, Director of the Jeonbuk Support Team for Community Child Centers, said, "For children with borderline intellectual functioning, an environment in which those around them understand their characteristics and are patient is of utmost importance. We will continue to provide various trainings and supports so that caregivers, staff of community child centers, and the local community can correctly understand and jointly support the children's characteristics."

Professor Kim Seo-hyun of Social Welfare at JBNU said, "Children with borderline intellectual functioning may experience individual-specific difficulties in expressing their thoughts and emotions and in understanding others' intentions, so careful understanding and support from those around them are necessary. I hope this program provided an opportunity for caregivers and the community to learn how to communicate at the child's pace and to view children positively."

Meanwhile, JBNU's Jeonbuk Support Team for Community Child Centers supports 287 community child centers in Jeollabuk-do with training, consulting, and evaluations. In cooperation with the Community Chest of Korea, it provides tailored services to local children through various specialized programs such as the 'Support Project for Children Growing as Themselves' and the 'Community Child Center Care–Safety Net Project for Children Suspected of Abuse.'

Inquiries: Jeonbuk Support Team for Community Child Centers Tel. 063-227-5479