Prosperidad, ADS – In an effort to further improve the advocacy and counseling skills of the nutrition workers of the Province of Agusan del Sur, a discussion and return demonstration on Infant and Young Child Feeding Counseling was conducted.

The activity was a part of the Idol ko Si Nanay Training Sessions held at the Provincial Learning Center, Provincial Capitol, Agusan del Sur on 27-29 September 2022.

OIC-RNPC Niño Archie S. Labordo discussed the basic skills on counseling and its importance in the advocacy function of the nutrition workers, especially of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS). In order to counsel effectively, OIC-RNPC Labordo emphasized the three (3) steps for effective counseling – Assess, Analyze and Act.

Assessment is the first step to effective counseling, an ability to let the individual talk about their current situation comfortably. In order to achieve this, the counselor must possess the skill to listen and learn at the same time by using helpful non-verbal communication, asking open questions, using responses and gestures which show interest, reflecting back to what the mother says, empathizing and avoiding words that sound judging.

The second step for effective counseling is analysis. It is where the counselor must analyze all data gathered from the assessment and identify actions to be taken, giving priority to difficulties needing immediate action.

Act – the last step for effective counseling wherein the counselor will discuss the actions that the mother must do in response to their situation. To help the mother achieve the recommended actions, the counselor must use appropriate confidence and support skills. Some of these skills include accepting the thoughts and feelings of the mother, recognizing and praising the correct child rearing practices done, giving practical help, using a simple language and making one or two suggestions, not commands.

After the discussion, a return demonstration was conducted with the participants. In each group, there must be a mother, counselor, and observer/s. The facilitator gave different situations to the “mothers” in each group which will be the basis for the counseling. The counselor of each group will then interview the “mother” about her situation and practice assess, analyze and act steps. Lastly, the observer/s will record the skills of the counselor used using the observation checklist.

Nutrition counseling is an activity between individuals and a trained counselor that utilizes information from nutrition assessments to prioritize actions for the improvement of nutritional status. Through the training conducted, NNC Caraga encourages all of the participants to scale up nutrition programs especially during the first 1000 days of life to build a more resilient future for the children.#MPRayco