Jen Pollard
Jennifer Pollard (aka The Kids Coach) is an energetic and dedicated coach and the mother of two beautifully boisterous boys. She helps children, teens and parents increase the joy love and laughter in their lives through positive change, and her unique, engaging and fun approach has established her reputation as a sought-after coach, speaker and author.
As a parent, wife and business owner she has a compassionate understanding of the challenges and demands facing modern families, and combines this practical experience with her knowledge from the fields of positive psychology, counseling and performance coaching to help children and families develop practical strategies and solutions that enable real change to occur over time.
Jennifers Passion and Inspiration
Jennifer has a genuine love of children and is deeply passionate about developing fun and creative programs that positively impact on each child's view of themselves and the world.
"In many ways, I have been in training to be The Kids Coach my whole life! It is not only and extension of who I am and what I believe but an opportunity for me to pass on what I have learned thus far, through my education and life experiences, to not only my own children but to all the kids I work with as well. It is truly a blessing, an honor and a privilege ... and for the most part, a joy as well!"
Educationally
Jennifer holds a double major from Auckland University in Psychology and Management. She is a certified Coach, a Laughter Yoga Leader and underwent intensive training in counseling as a Lifeline Telephone Counselor. Forever self educating and building up her knowledge base, Jennifer regularly attends personal and professional development courses, workshops and seminars and has participated in trainings from Triple P, Toolbox, KidsLink, Deepak Chopra, Tony Robins and many more over the years.
Experience
Jennifer has been working as The Kids Coach for close to a decade and has worked with hundreds of children, families and educators throughout Auckland and further afield via distance, either in individual, family or group sessions, with a focus on developing insight, building skills and strategies and creating positive change.
She has worked and continues to work with many fantastic primary schools on the North Shore, both in consultative and practical roles, working with educators, parents and/or children. In fact, Jennifer is currently running onsite Train of Thought classes and/or private coaching services at a number of North Shore primary schools, including Kristin, Vauxhall School and Birkenhead Primary School.
She has also worked with Ministry of Education Psychologists to ensure that children needing multiple levels of support are having their needs met in comprehensive and consistent ways.
Jennifer is regularly interviewed by the television and news media about issues relating to the social and emotional development and needs of children. She has also been invited to speak to groups of professionals, including educators, psychologists, government agencies and early childhood organizations on similar topics.
As a parent, wife and business owner she has a compassionate understanding of the challenges and demands facing modern families, and combines this practical experience with her knowledge from the fields of positive psychology, counseling and performance coaching to help children and families develop practical strategies and solutions that enable real change to occur over time.
Jennifers Passion and Inspiration
Jennifer has a genuine love of children and is deeply passionate about developing fun and creative programs that positively impact on each child's view of themselves and the world.
"In many ways, I have been in training to be The Kids Coach my whole life! It is not only and extension of who I am and what I believe but an opportunity for me to pass on what I have learned thus far, through my education and life experiences, to not only my own children but to all the kids I work with as well. It is truly a blessing, an honor and a privilege ... and for the most part, a joy as well!"
Educationally
Jennifer holds a double major from Auckland University in Psychology and Management. She is a certified Coach, a Laughter Yoga Leader and underwent intensive training in counseling as a Lifeline Telephone Counselor. Forever self educating and building up her knowledge base, Jennifer regularly attends personal and professional development courses, workshops and seminars and has participated in trainings from Triple P, Toolbox, KidsLink, Deepak Chopra, Tony Robins and many more over the years.
Experience
Jennifer has been working as The Kids Coach for close to a decade and has worked with hundreds of children, families and educators throughout Auckland and further afield via distance, either in individual, family or group sessions, with a focus on developing insight, building skills and strategies and creating positive change.
She has worked and continues to work with many fantastic primary schools on the North Shore, both in consultative and practical roles, working with educators, parents and/or children. In fact, Jennifer is currently running onsite Train of Thought classes and/or private coaching services at a number of North Shore primary schools, including Kristin, Vauxhall School and Birkenhead Primary School.
She has also worked with Ministry of Education Psychologists to ensure that children needing multiple levels of support are having their needs met in comprehensive and consistent ways.
Jennifer is regularly interviewed by the television and news media about issues relating to the social and emotional development and needs of children. She has also been invited to speak to groups of professionals, including educators, psychologists, government agencies and early childhood organizations on similar topics.
About The Coaching courses i develop
The coaching courses I've created were born first and foremost through my own personal experience, as a child, as a parent and as a coach.
As a Child
As a child and teenager my family went through many difficult transitions that were beyond my control. Through those experiences I learned a lot about myself and how to overcome the internal and external obstacles that weren't serving me. I remember what it feels like to be that child. A child who needs support but lacks the skills, confidence or knowledge to know or ask for what they need. A child who wants to reach out and step outside of her comfort zone but can't bring herself to do it. A child who wants to have the confidence to be himself and trust that others will accept them but is too frightened to take the leap. Remembering what is like to be that child gives me the ability to personally relate to each child that walks into my coaching room looking for support. To recognize and respect their personal strengths and struggles, whatever they are, and support them to develop their own inner resources.
As a Parent
As a parent, I really wanted to take a proactive approach to helping my own children develop the mindsets and skill sets that would serve them well throughout their lives. The challenge, of course, was how to do that? It was one thing, understanding the concepts and teaching them to other adults. Another thing all together, transforming those ideas into child friendly lessons that were engaging and educational. Fortunately, I absolutely love figuring out how to do that and have discovered the most creative ways to combine the best elements of positive psychology, performance coaching and play therapy into my Inspired Kids sessions.
Although we build life skills into our everyday conversations at home, having a structure and step by step process to guide us in teaching our children these essential skills has been invaluable. It sounds a little funny to say that as the creator of kids coaching programs but as a busy parent having everything I need right there makes it easy and enables me deliver the information in ways my children can understand and enjoy (most of the time ;0D)!
As a Coach
As a coach, the earlier we can lay foundations for success and reinforce positive patterns of thought, speech and action the better! It makes sense then to begin setting the stage early on - in childhood.
Having the opportunity and privilege to work with children and their families is a real honor and labour of love for me!
But enough from me, let's hear what the children and families I've worked with have to say!
As a Child
As a child and teenager my family went through many difficult transitions that were beyond my control. Through those experiences I learned a lot about myself and how to overcome the internal and external obstacles that weren't serving me. I remember what it feels like to be that child. A child who needs support but lacks the skills, confidence or knowledge to know or ask for what they need. A child who wants to reach out and step outside of her comfort zone but can't bring herself to do it. A child who wants to have the confidence to be himself and trust that others will accept them but is too frightened to take the leap. Remembering what is like to be that child gives me the ability to personally relate to each child that walks into my coaching room looking for support. To recognize and respect their personal strengths and struggles, whatever they are, and support them to develop their own inner resources.
As a Parent
As a parent, I really wanted to take a proactive approach to helping my own children develop the mindsets and skill sets that would serve them well throughout their lives. The challenge, of course, was how to do that? It was one thing, understanding the concepts and teaching them to other adults. Another thing all together, transforming those ideas into child friendly lessons that were engaging and educational. Fortunately, I absolutely love figuring out how to do that and have discovered the most creative ways to combine the best elements of positive psychology, performance coaching and play therapy into my Inspired Kids sessions.
Although we build life skills into our everyday conversations at home, having a structure and step by step process to guide us in teaching our children these essential skills has been invaluable. It sounds a little funny to say that as the creator of kids coaching programs but as a busy parent having everything I need right there makes it easy and enables me deliver the information in ways my children can understand and enjoy (most of the time ;0D)!
As a Coach
As a coach, the earlier we can lay foundations for success and reinforce positive patterns of thought, speech and action the better! It makes sense then to begin setting the stage early on - in childhood.
Having the opportunity and privilege to work with children and their families is a real honor and labour of love for me!
But enough from me, let's hear what the children and families I've worked with have to say!