After graduating  with a Certificate III in Children’s Services this year, Moureen Khan has been actively sharing her knowledge with the community.

During the course, Moureen developed a passion for the use of positive language to guide young children’s behaviour.

“This is a new concept for many teachers and parents in Fiji,” said Moureen.“I learned that brain research shows us that children learn better when they are reared and educated by adults who use positive language, versus children who are schooled and parented in an authorative and controlling way.”

Moureen and Certificate III trainer Diana Hurford recently conveyed this message to a group of parents and teachers at the Empowering Kids preschool in Lautoka. 

 “The group was very attentive and we made an impression on them. Children still need limits and consequences but these should be set in a positive way if we want children to not fear us, because fear clogs the learning pathways of the brain. I think this is such an important message that I have a responsibility to let people know,”Moureen said.

Moureen has become a wonderful advocate for young children by going out into the community to speak to adults about using positive language. She attended am APTC class on public speaking and worked extremely hard on a PowerPoint presentation with the help of Imtiaz Ali, APTC’s Return to Work Tutor.   She has developed as a confident, knowledgeable speaker with the ability to convey stimulating messages to her Lautoka community about child rearing and education.