Course Tag: brain development

 Most parents know a bit about their child’s development, especially in infancy when motor milestones are celebrated by everyone.  Learning a bit more about how infant’s brains develop offers parents insights into how they can support their infants as they eat, sleep, play, and learn. From this class you will be able to:

• Appreciate key ideas about what’s important about brain development 
• Use fun and easy ways to support the development of lifelong learning skills starting in the child’s first year 
• Apply positive parenting solutions for supporting resilience

As children enter adolescence, they have a natural desire for independence. Teenagers’ desire for freedom can be scary for parents/caregivers, however, it is what gradually turns your adolescent into a healthy adult.  

Class participants will be able to: 

• Recognize key factors in adolescent brain development that influence behavior 
• Identify factors that make independence during adolescence “risky” 
• Recognize the consequences of restricting independence  
• Identify and apply steps in planning with teens for situations that strengthen the independence 

This series addresses ways to support the unique strengths and challenges of gifted first generation college students. First generation college students are more likely to be members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, come from low income households, and commute from home. Sadly, these traits are also commonly associated with students dropping out of college. In this series you will explore ways to support your gifted first generation college student including strategies to help you:

• Build positive relationships with your maturing child
• Support your child’s social emotional well-being
• Talk to teens in positive ways and how to give effective feedback
• Recognize the importance of mindset 
• Effectively foster independence in your child
• Set limits and reduce conflict
• Grow your understanding of stress and the brain

The teenage years can be exciting times of growth, but can be a strain on your relationship. As your child enters the tween and teen years their brain changes in ways that cause them to find their tribe of peers. This may mean that they are less likely to seek the advice and validation of adults but it doesn’t mean they don’t need your calm, consistent guidance. After taking classes in the Help Your Tweens and Teens Thrive Even When They Think You Are Ridiculous series caregivers will be able to: 

• Start and maintain an open dialogue 
• Develop an authentic and honest relationship with your child 
• Support your child in dealing with his/her social life 
• Discuss difficult subjects openly and positively 
• Apply steps to navigate teens’ romantic relationships with trust, compassion, clarity and consistency 
• Learn positive discipline that works

The Inspire School Success series for parents of middle and high school youth offers inspiration and strategies you can use to help your child enter the classroom with confidence, character, and the tools they need to succeed. Help your tweens and teens regulate their emotions and communicate effectively so that they can engage and learn. Parents, students, and teachers have all endured the challenges of an unusually tough year that has led to academic and social loss for many. This series covers clear, actionable ways to inspire meaningful conversations and develop routines at home that support social-emotional health, reduce conflict and foster a sense of gratitude and safety. Gain the information and techniques you need to help your tween or teen confidently enter school as you look towards graduation, the college admissions process, other post-graduate plans and beyond. 

Participants in this class series will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of mindset to school success 
• Help tweens and teens complete homework without conflict
• Appreciate and develop gratitude practices
• Inspire important conversations to strengthen relationships and build character

Essential Library:
School Success: Inspire Motivation and Engagement
Make Homework Work
Stress, the Brain and Emotional Well-Being in your Teen
Manage Academic Loss
Less Conflict, More Solutions
Build Extraordinary Relationships with Your Teen through Daily Conversations
Support the Social Emotional Health of Gifted Teen Students

Extended Library:
Support Kids in Challenging Times: Understand and Engage in Current Events
Create Home Environments that Support Remote School Success
Approaching the College Admissions Process
Gratitude – the why and how!
Help Students Feel Safe in Challenging Times
Approaching Graduation and Beyond
Support the Social Emotional Health of Students with Special Needs

The Inspire School Success series for parents of elementary school children offers inspiration and strategies you can use to help your child enter the classroom with confidence, character, and the tools they need to succeed. Help your child regulate their emotions and communicate effectively so that they can engage and learn. Parents, students, and teachers have all endured the challenges of an unusually tough year that has led to academic and social loss for many. This series covers clear, actionable ways to inspire meaningful conversations and develop routines at home that support social-emotional health, reduce conflict, and foster a sense of gratitude and safety.

Participants in this class series will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of mindset to school success 
• Help children complete homework without conflict
• Appreciate and develop gratitude practices
• Inspire important conversations to strengthen relationships and build character 
• Create positive routines that support your child’s success in school

Essential Library:
School Success: Inspire Motivation and Engagement
Make Homework Work
Stress, the Brain and Emotional Well Being
Manage Academic Loss
Less Conflict, More Solutions
Build Extraordinary Relationships with Your Child through Daily Conversations

Extended Library:
Support Kids in Challenging Times: Understand and Engage in Current Events
Create Home Environments that Support Remote School Success
Support the Social Emotional Health of Gifted Students
Support the Social Emotional Health of Special Needs Students

Children who recognize and can manage their emotions as well as recognize and influence the emotions of others tend to be more successful. You play a big role in teaching your child those important skills. You do it through modeling and other approaches which you may not recognize as important to our child’s development. Parents who access the “Be Your Child’s Emotions Coach” library will be able to:

• Identify the nature of Emotional Intelligence and how to strengthen it in yourself and your children
• Recognize the effect of Emotional Intelligence on your child’s long term success and well-being
• Coach children to develop problem solving skills and recognize the importance of these skills
• Recognize the power of relationships in learning to cope with strong emotions and the meaning and impact of being your child’s “calm center”

Parents of young children strongly influence their child’s future school success through play and other kinds of social interaction. Play helps children to develop curiosity about the world, take initiative, develop problem solving skills, as well as apply focused attention and persistence to tasks. Your interest, questions and comments help build your child’s capacities for future success as a student. In the library Little Kids, Happy Learners parents will gain the following important skills:

• Applying strategies that make the most of everyday conversations and activities to promote your child’s learning
• Recognize how to decide what type of early education you want your child to participate in
• Helping your child  make transitions into early care settings like meeting a new caregiver or starting preschool or kindergarten

This class series covers the basics for parents from pregnancy through baby’s first year. You know you are about to have a life changing experience but you may not be able to imagine it. Parents who take time to learn about pregnancy and birth tend to have increased confidence during labor and delivery, improved birth outcomes and a higher likelihood of breastfeeding. Learning about caring for your baby and your body before birth will strengthen family well-being. 

The early weeks after birth can be confusing and exhausting while you and your baby learn how to manage feeding and sleeping. Learn about your baby’s early needs and development so you are ready to adapt to life with your newborn. Strategies that balance their needs with yours really make a difference.  Infants thrive when parents recognize temperament, how the baby learns, and how your early weeks together can be enhanced when you create rhythms and routines to care for the baby and yourself. 

 This Peace At Home Parenting Solutions Library provides needed guidance to pregnant and postpartum parents of infants up to one year of age. Participants will be able to:

• Recognize risks to pregnant women and newborn babies, especially for women of color
• Identify action steps you can take to protect your health and your baby
• Work together with your medical provider to help you build a healthy birth through informed consent and other strategies
• Recognize and respond effectively to your newborn’s needs and cues
• Identify and apply positive solutions to common concerns during baby’s first year
• Recognize the importance of self-care to create balance and family well-being, especially when parents return to work