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

Handout 4b: Modified Mother-to-Mother Support Group
Checklist for Facilitator
CREATE A COMFORTABLE, SAFE, AND PERSONAL ENVIRONMENT
Greet people individually and by name.
Ask people's names if you don't know them.
Seat people in a circle.
Sit at the same level as the rest of the group.
OPENING
Introduce and tell a little about yourself.
Ask the group participants to introduce and tell a little about themselves.
Introduce the purpose and theme for which the group has gathered.
Mention to the participants that the support group meeting will last 1–1½ hour.
DISCUSSION
Show people you are listening to them and care about and respect what they are
saying:
Use the same words and phrases the group does.
Use people's names to include them in the discussion.
Look directly at the person who is speaking.
Relax. Smile. Hold your body and face so that they invite people to talk.
Allow the group to stray from the topic somewhat, but then reintroduce it
starting from where the group left off.
Ask questions:
Use closed and open questions to help people talk about their experiences and
ideas.
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