Educator participants in groups at an
LVE Workshop in Marin County, California, USA

LVE Educator Workshops and Seminars are participatory. Participants are asked to reflect on their own values, offer their ideas on elements within a values-based atmosphere, and imagine an optimal classroom environment.

Participants are divided into small groups to discuss best teaching practices. What methods allow us to create a values-based atmosphere in which all students can feel respected, valued, understood, loved and safe?

After they share their ideas, LVE's theoretical model and the rationale behind the variety of values activities are presented. The workshop then turns to skills for creating a values-based environment. In longer trainings this includes: acknowledgement, encouragement, and positively building behaviors; active listening; conflict resolution; collaborative rule making; and values-based discipline. These sessions are intermingled with small group sessions in which participants take part in Living Values Activities for children and youth. 

LVE Educator Workshops and Seminars range from two to four days. Four day workshops are highly recommended for adults not familiar with conflict resolution and/or child-centered, participatory teaching methods.

Hungary - An LVE Parents group on T.V.!

Often, experienced parent group facilitators take the LVE Educator Workshop along with a few additional sessions about the Living Values Parent Group process. Many of the activities they will do with parents are taken from the Living Values Activities books while some of the parenting skills are similar to those taught during the Educator Workshop but made applicable to parents. In the additional sessions they become familiar with the structure and process in Living Values Parent Groups: A Facilitator Guide and a few parent group sessions are simulated.

A LVE TTT provides the opportunity for participants to see and experience the exact sessions involved in a regular LVE Educator Workshop. Additionally, the LVE Educator Training Guide is introduced and the rationale underpinning the training process is explained. Other sessions include the theoretical background of LVE, research which supports values/character and LVE at the international level. TTTs are usually five days in length. The brevity of the training does not allow for development of facilitator skills.

LVE offers training to refugee teachers to implement Living Values Activities for Refugees and Children Affected by War (LVARCAW). It is essential that educators receive this training prior to doing the program with children. 

LVE training for the LVARCAW program begins with a welcome, the purposes of the program, and introductory activities. Teachers are asked about their concerns, and in light of previous discussions with organizers, the program is shared in relationship to their particular circumstances. Teachers then participate in values awareness sessions. Sessions on active listening take place early in the training, and continue almost every day. The educators discuss the teaching methods and attitudes that create a learning environment in which students feel loved, valued, respected, understood and safe. Teachers are then engaged in several activities that are in both LVARCAW and regular Living Values activities for children. LVE's theoretical model and the rationale behind the variety of values
activities are presented. The goals of the LVARCAW
program are read together. 

Several days into the program, Living Values activities that deal with war in the LVARCAW unit are introduced. The teachers are divided into small groups. They participate in some of the activities, are told about others, and teach the activities by the end of the training. It is important for all of the teachers to go through the lessons to understand how the process works, not just intellectually but emotionally. While this model is not that of a "talking cure," it allows people to express their feelings about war and those who are missing or have died. Hence, some of the sessions can be emotional or elicit emotions. The activities are designed with supportive elements and participants engage in expressive activities through drawing, puppets, sharing, relaxation/focusing exercises, and traditional songs. In one of the activities, factors leading to war are discussed; participants real concerns are engaged. The training provides additional sessions to develop skills for creating a values-based environment. This includes acknowledgement, encouragement, and positively building behaviors, conflict resolution, collaborative rule making, and values-based discipline. 

This training for refugee teachers lasts two weeks. Follow-up sessions are recommended. If there is a need for this training in your country or region, please contact the LVE Content and Training Office at

LVE offers training to educators in areas recently affected by earthquakes. Like the LVE training for educators of children affected by war and street children, the use of this special module is limited to educators who receive training. This training incorporates the elements of the regular LVE Educator Workshop, and adds sessions to build skills and practice activities to help children cope with their fears and possible loss, and increase adaptive skills. The lessons provide a forum for children to discuss their feelings, learn that their reactions are normal responses to a difficult situation, and develop skills to help them cope. This training is a minimum of five days.

LVE offers a special training to street educators and agencies caring for street children. This training incorporates the elements of the regular LVE Educator Workshop and adds sessions to build skills and do the activities particular to this special unit. These materials contain adapted living values activities on peace, respect, love and cooperation and a series of stories about a street children family. The stories serve as a medium to educate about and to discuss issues related to domestic violence, death, AIDS, drug sellers, drugs, sexual abuse and physical abuse. The stories are combined with discussions, activities, and the development of positive adaptive social and emotional skills. This training is a minimum of six days.