Pen Green Centre for children and their families

Join us for this engaging webinar to explore Learning to be Strong (LtbS) – Pen Green’s pioneering assertiveness training programme for children under five.

Originally developed in 1988 in direct response to parents’ concerns following a child safety tragedy in our town, LtbS empowers young children to:

• Recognise and express their feelings

• Understand and respect personal boundaries

• Respond appropriately to unsafe situations

• Seek help from trusted adults

This values-led approach is deeply embedded in Pen Green’s integrated, community-driven practice, giving emotional and social development equal weight alongside cognitive growth.

Why It Matters

Resilience and assertiveness in the early years lay the foundations for lifelong wellbeing, social competence, and learning success. LtbS supports these outcomes while meeting EYFS Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) goals:

• Self-Regulation – managing feelings and behaviour constructively

• Building Relationships – forming positive, respectful connections

• Self-Confidence and Self-Awareness – making choices and expressing needs

Core Themes Covered

• Friends & Conflict – assertive problem-solving and asking for help

• Bullying – recognising hurtful behaviour and standing up to it

• Boundaries – knowing safe limits and listening to carers’ rules

• Strangers – recognising and responding to unsafe approaches

• Feelings – identifying emotions, rejecting unsafe touch, and “never keeping secrets”

What You’ll Gain

• A clear understanding of the LtbS philosophy, origins, and safeguarding context

• Practical strategies to integrate safeguarding into everyday EYFS practice

• Tools for effective partnership with parents and carers

• Guidance for preparing staff to handle sensitive topics and disclosures

• Access to session outlines, parent meeting templates, and observation tools