Children & Focusing Conference Overview

 

This past November, the Children & Focusing Advisory Group, together with The International Focusing Institute (TIFI), hosted our Online Children & Focusing Conference, Less is More: Sometimes the most special moments are also the simplest. Designed for anyone interested in learning and deepening their Focusing wisdom, regardless of their experience with Children & Focusing, the conference was well-attended with roughly 100 participants from 21 different countries.

We often talk about Children & Focusing as a community and, just as we can’t raise a child on our own, we can’t further our Children & Focusing work on our own. Throughout this conference, we experienced the diversity and rich tapestry of our community, exploring many ways to connect with children as well as to our inner child. This conference gave us an opportunity to feel connected and create connections with others by building relationships in our Children & Focusing community.

Throughout the three days of the conference, the participants gained insight into how children are nurtured and supported through Focusing practices. Workshops and presentations provided an opportunity for learning about research and child development in relation to Focusing, while hands-on activities demonstrated Focusing techniques tailored for children.

The various techniques provided unique learning opportunities as we were invited to play, feel, dance, run, climb, jump, laugh, cry, watch, discover, talk and sing, bringing in vitality, aliveness and a sparkling energy of Focusing & Children. These activities enriched the conference with an inherently gentle, playful approach to Experiential Focusing.

 

 

We are grateful to our presenters whose workshops and presentations covered many inspiring topics, including:

• A World in a grain of sand - Resourcing children’s resilience in these troubled times through Focusing with nature
• Using Felt Sensing (Focusing) Neuroscience & Parts theory to enable young people to unfold their ‘Big SELF’ and be beside whatever else is there. (And it works for you too.)
• Do Less, Be more
• On a Journey Together - Stories from a kindergarten
• BEING SPACE Providing Space for the Child’s Experience
• A Representation-based Focusing Practice for Crystallizing Carrying-Forward Steps, Working with Parents and/or Children
• Just One Feeling at a Time: How understanding the early adolescent brain can help Focusing-minded parents 

 

 

• Connecting Playfully: Towards More Alignment and Refinement in Parenting and Raising Children
• Less is More - How I Teach Children to Listen to Each Other in a Helpful Way
• Focusing Oriented Art Therapy (FOAT) in Hogar (Hospice) AYUVI - Children and adolescents with cancer in palliative care
• The Sandtray - A Safe Space for Children to Tell the Inner Story
• The Art of Doing (Almost) "Nothing"
• The Magic Touch! - Integrating Hands and Feet into the Focusing Process

 

 

Aside from the presentations, we also created time for reflection in our living room sessions. One in particular - Past Present and Future of Children & Focusing - paid tribute to our wonderful professionals who shaped the history of Children & Focusing: Lucy Bowers, Marta Stapert, Zack Boukydis, Kazuko Amaha and many others.

The feedback we have received from the participants beautifully captured the essence of the conference and reflected on the transformative impact of it. Some highlights are shared below:

"Several participants expressed a strong feeling of unity and collective purpose, underscoring the conference's ability to foster connection across cultures and languages."

"The rawness, honesty, and vulnerability shared by presenters and participants resonated deeply, highlighting the power of authenticity in creating meaningful interactions."

"Many participants noted the importance of integrating play, silliness, and creative methods into the process of connection and learning—both for adults and children. And they appreciated learning practical tools, such as how to introduce children to the concept of felt sense or use creative methods in their work."

"Themes of going slow, embracing simplicity, and creating space for listening were repeatedly mentioned as impactful insights. The reminder that it’s not about fixing'but being present with what is, particularly for children, resonated deeply."

The conference provided not just knowledge and tools but also an emotional and spiritual connection that participants cherished. It was more than an event, it was a celebration of community, authenticity, and the shared journey of nurturing well-being across generations.

 

 

Creating such a meaningful and successful event is no small feat, and participants expressed a heartfelt and generous acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication of TIFI and the team behind the conference. It's evident that the collaborative spirit, professionalism, and extraordinary effort of the organizing, translation, and support teams have left a profound impression on the attendees.  The international makeup of the teams illustrates a global collaboration that required impeccable coordination across time zones. The specific mention of their efforts to articulate, sense, and resonate with the "bodily felt sense" and their commitment to seamless translation speaks volumes about the conference's inclusivity and dedication to making it accessible to a diverse audience.

Lastly, we would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to Joke van Hoeck from Belgium. Following this conference, Joke has chosen to devote more time to her family and her invaluable work with parents, stepping back from her current role in the Children & Focusing Advisory Group.  After being an active member for many years, her departure leaves us with a sense of quiet and emptiness; we will dearly miss her vibrant, uplifting presence. Joke's remarkable ability to pair the perfect text with the exact images, her thoughtful contributions, and her unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on our community, as showed in her inspiring workshop “Do Less BE MORE” at the conference.

We have also been privileged to watch her little daughter grow up over the years, Stella was and still is a constant presence at the start of our meetings, reminding us of the importance of connection and family. So, Joke, we offer you a BIG bow of gratitude and even more deeply thank you for your personal touch, high-quality input, and steadfast support to the Focusing community. Your contribution has been profound, and we promise to carry forward the spirit and values.

 

 

For those who couldn’t join us for the conference, you can still register for the online post- conference for access to recordings of all the presentations until end of April. For your registration, overview and info visit: https://focusing.org/event/less-more-children-focusing-online-conference-2024 

To stay connected please save the date for the upcoming Children & Focusing Roundtable on February Tuesday 18th 7 pm CET

More information and articles about Children & Focusing

https://focusing.org/children-focusing/children-and-focusing

If you have any questions or you would like to share your thoughts or ideas about Children & Focusing please feel free to write to the Children & Focusing Advisory Group [email protected].

Warmly

The Children & Focusing Advisory Group

Laura, Harriët & René