The Newborn Behavioral Observations (NBO) system Training Workshops

The NBO Training Workshop

This one day training program will provide participants with the theoretical foundations and clinical principles necessary to enable them to use the Newborn Behavioral Observations (NBO) system in their clinical practice. Participants will first be exposed to current research on neurobehavioral development and the early parent-child relationship. Then, using film and live demonstrations, the workshop will introduce participants to the kinds of observational strategies necessary to identify newborn behavioral patterns and how to use the NBO as a way of sensitizing parents to the competencies and individuality of their newborn. Clinical guidelines on relationship-building will be discussed and demonstrated, while the workshop will also examine the use of the NBO in anticipatory guidance and demonstrate how this guidance can be provided in a way that is developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive. After the workshop, on-line mentoring will be offered to all participants to enable them to complete the training. A certificate of completion will be offered when this phase has been completed.

Workshops are designed for 20-30 practitioners, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, infancy specialists, lactation consultants, home visitors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers and other allied health professionals. The NBO workshops are held at Children's Hospital, Boston. The Brazelton Institute also offers workshops off-site (please read the section on Off-Site NBO Training Workshops).

Special NBO Two-Day Workshops for Early Intervention professionals are also available. For further information on these two-day workshops, see below.

NBO Workshop Training Objectives:

The goal of the training program curriculum is:

1. Participants will be introduced to the theories and concepts underlying the Newborn Behavioral Observations system
2. Participants will become familiar with current findings on neurobehavioral development and early parent-infant relationship development
3. Participants will become familiar with the content and uses of the NBO
4. Participants will learn how to administer the NBO to make behavioral observations of newborn behavior and identify newborn behavioral patterns
5. Participants will learn how to interpret these observations from a developmental point-of-view and will learn how to communicate this information to parents as a form of guidance
6. Participants will learn to use the NBO in the context of building a relationship with parents

There are four training phases. These phases are:

1. Complete Full Day Seminar and Skill-Building Session
2. Distance Learning. (Including on-line mentoring with Brazelton Institute Faculty)
3. Conduct five NBO sessions with five families and return completed forms.
4. Certificates of Completion.

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Registration

To begin the NBO system training program, please complete the NBO Training Registration Form. Please remember to indicate the workshop date.

Please send the registration form with full payment to:

The Brazelton Institute
1295 Boylston Street, Suite 320
Boston, MA 02215

(The fee for the two-day EI NBO workshop is $325. The fee for the one-day workshop is $425 for physicians, $325 for nurses and allied professionals and $225 for residents and professionals in training)

Phase I: Full Day Seminar and Skill-Building Session
The NBO system training is an interactive learning process. Lectures on newborn behavior and development, live baby demonstrations with families and group discussions are included. On-site workshops are conducted at Children's Hospital, Boston. The faculty at the Brazelton Institute also offers off-site workshops across the country*. NBO kits, assessment tools, and reading materials will be provided and are included in the cost of training.

Phase II: Distance Learning
As part of the training process, each participant will be expected to perform the NBO with five families soon after the workshop. Follow-up guidance and on-line mentoring by the Brazelton Institute Faculty will be available to participants during this phase.

Phase III: Completion of Assessment Forms
Participants are required to perform the NBO with five families return the completed assessment forms and parent questionnaires to the Brazelton Institute.

Phase IV: Certificates of Completion
Once five NBO assessment forms are completed and either faxed or mailed to the Brazelton Institute, each participant will be awarded an official Brazelton Institute "NBO Certificate of Completion".

Fee
The fee for the NBO workshop is $425 for physicians, $325 for nurses and allied professionals, $225 for residents and professionals in training

Registration
To begin the NBO system training program, please complete the NBO Training Registration Form. Please remember to indicate the workshop date.

*Off-Site NBO Training Program
The Faculty at the Brazelton Institute offers an off-site NBO Training Program. This program is designed for 25-30 trainees interested in having Brazelton Institute Faculty members travel to their work setting. The requirements for off-site training are as follows:

1. There must be 25-30 participants.
2. The cost of the one-day training is $10,000, which includes all training materials.
3. If there are between 15 and 20 participants the fee is $325 per person.
4. The group hosting the training must pay for the travel expenses (including airfare, transportation and hotel accommodations) of the Brazelton Institute Faculty.

If you are interested in Off-Site NBO Training, please contact the Brazelton Institute to discuss possible dates.

The Brazelton Institute welcomes questions about the NBO system Training Program. Please call (617) 355-4959 or email at brazelton.institute@childrens.harvard.edu

NBO Training for Early Intervention Professionals
Training programs are also offered for Early Intervention Professionals. This two-day workshop is specifically designed to meet the needs of Early Intervention professionals. The fee for the EI NBO workshop is $325 per participant.