Training of Trainers for Mother-to-Mother Support ... - Linkages Project

9. Mother-to-Mother Support Group Practice: The Early Days
after Birth
Objective/content/messages
Learning objective:
By the end of this session, participants will
be able to:
• Participate in a MtMSG with the theme
“Early Days after Birth.”
• Describe the characteristics of a
facilitator of a mother-to-mother
support group.
Content
Characteristics of a facilitator of a motherto-mother
support group:
1. Greets and welcomes all who are
attending
2. Creates a comfortable atmosphere in
which women feel free to share their
experiences
3. Introduces self and invites each
participant to introduce themselves
4. Explains the objective of the meeting
and gives a brief introduction of the
topic
5. Actively listens to the participants and
gives each one her full attention
6. Maintains eye contact and exhibits
other appropriate body language
7. Asks questions to generate a
discussion
8. Raises other questions to stimulate
discussion when necessary
9. Directs questions to other participants
of the group
10. Limits interruptions and outside
distractions
11. Talks only when there are questions
that the group cannot answer
and offers an explanation or correct
information to clarify
12. Briefly summarizes the theme of the
day
Materials/times/activities
Materials:
• Cards to write characteristics of
facilitator (participants physically or
verbally express characteristics of
facilitator)
• Masking tape
• Flipchart paper (with TRY THIS written
on top), markers
• Handout 9: “Characteristics of a
Facilitator of MtMSG” for TOT
Time:
60 minutes
Activity:
Participants including facilitator should sit
at the same level in a circle. The facilitator
and another participant as co-facilitator
demonstrate the role of support group
facilitators
All participants experience attendance at a
support group.
---------------------------------------------------------
In plenary facilitate a discussion to reflect
on and describe the characteristics of the
facilitator in the mother-to-mother support
group:
1. How do you think the facilitator (name)
felt
2. Facilitator (name), how did you feel
3. What did the facilitator(s) do in the
support group to make “Mary” feel that
way
4. How did the quiet ones function in the
support group
5. What did the facilitator(s) do to get the
quiet ones to talk
6. How did the facilitator(s) make you feel
7. What was the role of the facilitator(s)
23