The seminar leader as ‘a new baby’: teaching observation for the first time

Abstract

Every infant observation marks a beginning, most dramatically for the observed child and family, as well as for the observer, taking up an unfamiliar role. Sometimes, however, the seminar leader is also a ‘new baby’ teaching observational studies for the first time. The journal interviewed three tutors who recently started as seminar leaders in infant observation on the Psychoanalytical Observational Studies course based at the Tavistock Centre in London. Students on this course are expected to undertake a full two-year observation as well as a shorter young child observation. They attend weekly seminars usually made up of about five participants where a write up of a visit is considered in detail. Suzan Sayder began teaching at the Tavistock last year (October 2010) Tanya Leonard and Julie Klingert-Hall have both taught infant observation for two years in Liverpool. All three are child and adolescent psychotherapists.