MORE and more teachers are getting involved in Teachers Associated with Counselling Approaches (TACA), a group of primary teachers who are learning the value of counselling. The group came together to share ideas and resources and provide support on how best to work with children who have counselling needs.

TACA grew out of this group of primary teachers in the Dublin area coming together in 1994 to discuss counselling and self-esteem work in their own schools. A series of Saturday workshops began in October 1994. This series continues this year.

Membership at this stage stands at 190. Topics at TACA's workshops have, to date, included self esteem, behaviour management, childhood bereavement, reality therapy, attachment theory, family therapy, art therapy and conflict resolution.

The workshops and one-day seminars are generally booked out and demand continues to outstrip supply. A number of teacher education centres are already members of TACA.

According to Therese Hegarty, a founding member of TACA and a teacher counsellor at Killarden Junior Primary School, Tallaght, Dublin, all members share a belief that the physical, social, emotional and intellectural needs of children need to be acknowledged and nurtured in an integrated way. Interest indicates, she says, that a substantial number of teachers are concerned about the social and emotional needs of children.

"The people who come are very committed to creating a more holistic ethos in the school so that all children's needs are addressed," says Hegarty.

Betty Crowley, chairwoman of TACA and special education teacher at Scoil Chaitriona on Baggot Street, Dublin, says: "The courses tend to give teachers skills in how to listen more to children. We feel if we encourage or respond to their social and emotional development, that we enhance their communication skills. It's basically encouraging teachers to recognise the importance of communmication in terms of working with children and seeing childhood as a stage of life and putting a value on that."

While most of TACA's members are primary teachers, membership is open to anyone. The workshops have been supported financially by the In-Career Development Unit of the Department of Education and Science for the past two years.

For information write to the TACA membership secretary at 140 Beechdale, Dunboyne, Co Meath.