Facilitators

Facilitators: Fran Thompson-Stevens & Levi Sikking
Fran and Levi have a long association and friensdhip, beginning with attending New Mother Support Group (NMSG) back in 1991 with their own babies. They consider that 'babyBEings' fills a similar need in their community now, that NMSG once gave them. Levi used to attend Fran's pre-school, Aniwaniwa, with her own children and then later worked alongside Fran until it closed. Levi and Fran compliment each other well and love the work they do and working together. Like many of the parents who attend their classes they can't wait for them to start again on Thursdays and Fridays each week!
In 2019 Victoria Walsh came on board to help Fran with the overflow of classes on Wednesdays. Victoria has attended babyBEings over the years with all four of her daughters.
Read more about Fran, Levi & Victoria below...

Fran and 2 babies.

Fran Thompson-Stevens is a former primary and early childhood teacher. After 10 years running her own pre-school, Aniwaniwa, Fran attended Pennie Brownlee’s course Dance With Me in the Heart Level 1 where she first heard about Dr Emmi Pikler’s philosophy of respectful infant care. In 2007 Fran completed the Level 1 Summer School at the Pikler Institute in Budapest. Since May 2008 Fran has been facilitating ‘babyBEings’ parent & infant classes in Tokoroa where she lives, inspired by the work of Dr Pikler and Magda Gerber. In 2009 Fran completed the first RIE 1 training in New Zealand, and since then has also completed Dance With Me in the Heart Level 2, and a 4 day COS (Circle of Security) Parenting Training by Glen Hoffman from USA. This qualifies Fran to facilitate workshops and an 8 week training on the COS for parents. In 2013 Fran returned to Budapest and completed the Level 2 Summer School training at the Pikler Institute and in 2017 & 2018 she studied again with pedagogues from the Pikler Institute, this time in Sydney.

Fran has officially earned the "INSPIRED BY PIKLER" status given by the Pikler Institute!

Since attending Dance With Me in the Heart Level 2 with Pennie Brownlee, Fran now provides ‘littlebeings’ classes for moving babies and toddlers. These classes provide parents with valuable support as their child enters toddlerhood by helping them to cope more confidently with this crucial, but often misunderstood, stage in their child's development. Once a month all classes are invited to 'natureBEings' where we take a trip to a local nature reserve and enjoy PLAY in the outdoors, in all weathers all year round. As well as taking all these classes Fran also enjoys mentoring ece teachers and facilitating workshops whenever she can.

Fran with her grand daughter at a littleBEings 2 class.

Levi (right) welcoming a parent & baby.

Levi Sikking is a former 'Parents As First Teachers' (PAFT) parent-educator and currently works 3 days a week at SWPIC (South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Trust) doing home visits with young families. As well as being a 'natural' with babies Levi brings a wealth of professional knowledge and experience to her role in facilitating classes. Her warm & welcoming personality and attention to detail ensures parents feel comfortable and our classes run smoothly. Levi has completed Pennie Brownlee's ‘Dance With Me in the Heart’ Level 1 and 2 courses and her facilitators course. She also travelled to Sydney in May 2018 to study for a week with pedagogues from the Pikler Institute. Levi volunteers her time two days a week at babyBEings and littleBEings classes.

Levi welcoming the babies to her, offering them her comfort or support if they should need it..

In Term 1, 2019 we welcomed
Victoria Walsh to assist Fran with Wednesday classes. Fran feels very fortunate to have Victoria's assistance, offering her wealth of relevant experience and wisdom for parents. Victoria has attended babyBEings in the past with her 4 daughters, now aged between 2 and 8 years old. Victoria always knew that one day when her girls were all independent enough she wanted to volunteer her time to assist Fran & Levi with classes. She wanted to give back and help continue the legacy of babyBEings, so that other parents could have the benefits she has experienced herself. Levi and Fran are very grateful to Victoria.

In this photo Victoria is delighting in one little girl and her play on a Wednesday afternoon. They exchanged smiles and Victoria's open hands conveyed a gentle willingness to welcome the child closer if they would like. Soon a balloon was offered, accepted and exchanged between the two, with even bigger smiles on their faces! A simple, yet beautiful, exchange was complete.
When adults allow a child the time and space to approach them or interact with them, IF & WHEN THE CHILD IS READY, it can make for a happier and richer contact between them.