THE POPPET CENTRE

Tuning in to Kids™: Helping Your Child Develop Emotional Intelligence

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Big feelings are part of growing up. The question is not whether children will have them, but how they learn to understand them, express them, and move through them well.

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Conducted under licence from the University of Melbourne, Tuning in to Kids™ is an evidence-based parenting program that helps parents support their child’s emotional development through emotion coaching. At The Poppet Centre, we deliver this highly regarded program in flexible formats designed to work for modern family life.

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When children are supported to understand their emotions, they are better placed to build resilience, communicate more clearly, manage frustration, and develop healthier relationships at home, at school, and in the wider world.

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Why This Program Matters

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Emotional intelligence is not a “nice extra” in parenting. It helps children to:

• understand what they are feeling
• regulate strong emotions more effectively
• build confidence in relationships
• develop empathy and social awareness
• cope better with stress, disappointment, and change

 

As parents, the way we respond to emotion shapes the emotional world our children grow up in.

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What You'll Learn

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Tuning in to Kids™ helps parents and carers learn how to:

• become more aware of their own emotions and reactions
• better recognise what their child may be feeling beneath the behaviour
• respond to emotional moments with greater calm, empathy, and clarity
• help children name, understand, and manage feelings
• guide behaviour while still holding warmth and boundaries
• turn everyday challenges into opportunities for connection and growth

 

This is practical, reflective learning. It is not about being a perfect parent. It is about becoming a more emotionally aware one.

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How It Works

 

The workshop includes:

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• Video materials that demonstrate effective strategies.

• Group discussions and exercises to share experiences and learn from others.

• Role plays to practice emotion coaching techniques.

• Home activities where you try out different ways of responding to your child’s emotions.

 

This hands-on, interactive approach ensures that you not only learn the skills but also feel confident applying them in your daily life.

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Choose The Format That Fits Your Family

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We know many families love the idea of parenting support but cannot commit to consecutive weekly sessions. That is why The Poppet Centre offers several ways to experience this licensed program.

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Standard Series
The traditional group format delivered across 6 weekly sessions. Best for parents who enjoy a paced learning journey, time to reflect between sessions, and the support of learning alongside others.

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Marathon Format
Our most popular format for busy families. This includes one full-day theory and skills workshop followed by two 90-minute one-to-one coaching sessions. The workshop gives you the core Tuning In framework, while the coaching sessions help you apply it to your own child, your own parenting style, and the real situations you are facing at home.

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Intensive A Weekend Immersion
A deeper retreat-style experience for parents who want protected time away from the noise of everyday life. This format allows for a more spacious, reflective dive into emotional coaching, family patterns, and practical application.

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Private Parenting Coaching Format
A tailored one-to-one version for parents or carers who prefer privacy, flexibility, or support around specific family dynamics. Ideal for families who cannot attend a group, who have more complex concerns, or who simply want the material applied directly to their own circumstances.​  This model of support is delivered over four 90-minute sessions.