About Us
About Us
Circle of Courage Institute develops publications and training courses for anyone who influences young people, including youth professionals, clinicians, and parents. To help better understand children and youth with emotional and behavioral problems, we develop products and services that are on the cutting edge of research and practice expertise.
Our History
The Circle of Courage model portrays four universal growth needs of all children: Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity. This philosophy emerged from collaboration of Martin Brokenleg, a professor of Native American Studies, and Larry Brendtro, a professor in children’s behavior disorders. They studied how traditional indigenous cultures were able to rear respectful, responsible children without resorting to coercive discipline. Their findings were first presented in 1988 to an international conference of the Child Welfare League of America in Washington, DC, and at the Trieschman Center in Boston. The Circle is portrayed by Lakota artist George Bluebird as a medicine wheel with four directions (see accompanying art).
The Circle of Courage Philosophy
The Circle of Courage is a model of positive youth development described in the book Reclaiming Youth at Risk, co-authored by Larry Brendtro, Martin Brokenleg, and Steve Van Bockern. The model integrates Native American philosophies of child-rearing, the heritage of early pioneers in education and youth work, and contemporary resilience research. The Circle of Courage is based on four universal growth needs of all children: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.
We are...
A Starr Institute for Training Program
Circle of CourageContact Information
Send us an e-mail
800-285-7910 or 605-647-2534
104 N Main Street
PO Box 57
Lennox, SD 57039