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Parenting Forums
The Weinstein JCC Early Childhood Department has developed the Parenting Forum to provide parents with the support and guidance needed to help assure the stability, growth, and enrichment of their young children.
The workshop series provides an opportunity for parents to come together with common needs to discuss relevant developmental issues and to gain advice from area experts in various fields of child development. Each workshop in the Parenting Forum is designed to support and advise parents as they take on the daily hurdles of parenthood.
Our commitment to parent education has enabled us to offer the Parenting Forum Series workshops at no charge for Weinstein JCC members. Take advantage and come learn with us!
Bring a friend $15 non-member-single and $20 non-member couple.
2007 - 2008 Parenting Forum Series:
Click here to see the brochure
Motor Development from Birth to Kindergarten
Monday, September 24, 2007
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For parents of 2 – 5 year olds
You will be surprised by the information Geri will present. She will show you the connections between early motor development and how it affects a child’s readiness for kindergarten and its importance in the development of play and social skills. Every child develops at their own pace. Geri will help you understand the sequences of development and give you ideas to support the various stages of your child’s growth. Through hands on activities, Geri will help you identify toys that will help enrich your child’s motor development.
Instructor: Geri Allen OTR/L Occupational Therapist, Owner – Integrated Therapy Services: “Specializing in pediatrics and sensory integration in the natural environment of the child.”
Look What I Can Do!: The Amazing Preschool Years
Monday, October 15, 2007
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For parents of 2 – 5 year olds
How do they grow up so fast? Preschoolers grow so quickly, and with so many important milestones! Learn more about what those “developmental milestones” are, and how they affect your child’s actions and reactions, both emotionally and cognitively. Bring your questions. Get some practical tips on using everyday opportunities to make the most of these amazing years!
Instructor: Family Educator, Commonwealth Parenting Center
You Can’t Make Me!
Monday, November 5, 2007
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
For parents of 2 – 5 year olds
Do the phrases, “you can’t make me!” and “you’re not the boss of me!” sound all too familiar? In this workshop, learn more about defiance as a developmental stage, how to know when it’s more than “just a phase,” and how to manage your child’s defiance without battles, yelling, or pulling out your hair!
Instructor: Family Educator, Commonwealth Parenting Center
Who Is In Charge? Regaining Parental Control
Monday, December 3, 2007
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For parents of 2 – 10 year olds
This class will help parents clarify their values and beliefs in order to establish an appropriate parental hierarchy. Parents will be able to assess the effectiveness of their parental style and help to re-establish “who is in charge,” and how to maintain a loving, but clear balance.
Instructor: Gail Moskowitz, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. Psychotherapist, Family Life Education, Jewish Family Services
Getting Your Child Ready to Read: Phonological Awareness
Monday, February 11, 2008
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For parents of 2 – 5 year olds
This workshop will be a brief introduction to the latest techniques in teaching pre-literacy skills and sounds. We will discuss different games and activities that you can use at home, in the car, at the restaurant to prepare your child for a successful reading experience.
Instructor: Leigh Martinez, M.S., CCC-SLP – Certified Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist
Challenging Behaviors, Creative Solutions!
Wednesdays, October 17 & 24, 2007
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For parents of 5 – 9 year olds
With each year, children’s behavior seems to become more and more challenging for parents. A mix of children maturing, new experiences at school and emerging independence, allow some “interesting” behaviors to emerge! This is a two part series about understanding those behaviors and finding solutions for them. The first session discusses some of kids’ most typical challenging behaviors and a number of creative solutions for handling them positively. The second session looks at how those solutions worked (or didn’t!). Also, the group reviews the “children’s curve of learning” as it applies to behavior, and problem solves how to know when a new creative strategy is needed.
Instructor: Family Educator, Commonwealth Parenting Center
Tire Swings to Mood Swings
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For parents of 9 – 12 year olds
It seems to happen over night – when your child isn’t a “child” anymore, but isn’t a teenager yet either. We call these the “tween” years. Our kids face so many changes. To continue parenting our children successfully through these important years, parents must change as well. This workshop includes an overview of “what is going on with preteens” in terms of physical development and body changes *, social development and peer influence, emotional development and mood changes, and the importance of the parent-child relationship at this stage. *Participants sensitive to this topic and/or the language used to describe body parts, sexual development, etc., may not wish to attend this workshop.
Instructor: Family Educator, Commonwealth Parenting Center
1-2-3 Magic and Beyond
Mondays, January 14 & 28, 2008
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For parents of 2 – 10 year olds
Parents often find themselves wondering who is in charge in their home. This workshop introduces you to the simple, effective discipline solutions developed by Thomas W. Phelan, PhD. Our child specialist refines the techniques and adds her additional expertise on the young child. You will walk away with positive tools you can put into practice from the very first session!
Instructor: Family Educator, Commonwealth Parenting Center
Bullying: What Parents Need to Know
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For parents of 6 – 12 year olds
This workshop takes a look at what bullying is and the characteristics of both bullies and victims. Parents find out how to recognize some of the symptoms of bullying (both the obvious and the indirect) and some ways to deal with it.
Instructor: Family Educator, Commonwealth Parenting Center
Peer Pressure: Guiding Teens
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For parents of 12 year olds and older
As children grow older, and begin to spend more time with friends and less time with just their family, they become more influenced by their peers. This is a normal part of growing up. Peer pressure can be either negative or positive for children. This workshop helps parents to understand outside influences, how they shape children’s self-esteem and decision making, and the parental role in guiding their children.
Instructor: Family Educator, Commonwealth Parenting Center
Sexually Speaking; How to Navigate Sexual Issues with and for your Preteen and Teenager
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For parents of 12 year olds and up
Issues about the development of sex and sexuality are confusing not only for the growing teenager but for us as their parents. Often we don’t know what to say, how much to say or when to start saying it. This class will address these difficult issues with frank discussion and information. Parents will take home practical strategies as well as having a chance to understand their own personal values and children’s individual needs.
Instructor: Gail Moskowitz, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.