Course Tag: school

The way we praise children affects how they see themselves. The language we use can actually help or hinder their desire to learn and their level of effort, as well as their ability to stick with a challenging task. You might be surprised to learn that telling your child how smart they are can actually decrease effort. Research tells us that we can help even discouraged children cope with frustration and see failure as an opportunity to learn rather than giving up. Use specific, powerful feedback to encourage your child to take appropriate risks and feel more confident to try new things. 

After this class, you will be able to: 

● Explain to your child how their brains change when they try new things 

● Give feedback using language that supports your child’s self-worth and enthusiasm for learning 

● Coach your child back to confidence after a failure 

● Recognize areas in your life where your own fixed thinking may affect your child’s behavior and self-worth 

Parents sometimes feel discouraged when their children want more toys, the newest technology or the coolest sneakers that they believe will make them really happy. And maybe those things will work…for a few hours or a couple of days. What really makes our kids happy? How often do we get caught up in what media tells us will bring joy into our lives?

Research tells us that “things” don’t really make us happy. While temperament is inborn, parents can actually help children increase optimism (positive outlook and hopefulness) and resilience (ability to effectively bounce back from challenges). These capacities are strongly connected to well-being and success. You will examine your day to day interactions and consider approaches that will increase these important traits in yourself and your children. You will also gain the courage to set limits on “stuff” and focus on what counts in building a happy family.

Parents can take steps to ease their school age children—and themselves—back into the school year with a positive attitude. Help your family develop effective routines, positive connections, and healthy stress-coping skills. Learn strategies to help the whole family approach online or in-person learning at school with excitement rather than worry.
After this class, you will be able to:

• Apply strategies to manage your stress around the start of the school year as a parent and teach these strategies to your children
• Motivate your children to develop healthy habits that support positive mental health and well-being, as well as academic learning
• Develop playful routines that will support a positive transition  
• Create connections with teachers and administrators at your child’s school to strengthen their sense of belonging 

Uncertainty about school plans can be extra hard on children with special needs who thrive on consistency and routine. Uncertain times in the outside world makes at-home routines, communication, boundaries, and connection even more important.  

In this class you will learn what you can do to create a safe, supportive home environment to give your child the calm center they need to navigate an uncertain world. You will also learn important tips on how to communicate with your child’s school team to make sure your child is getting the support they need to learn and feel safe and happy. 

Class participants will be able to: 

• Identify practical approaches to be a calm center for your child even if they are struggling  
• Recognize what you can and cannot control in your child’s world 
• Develop the ability to match your expectations to your child’s capacities and your family’s circumstances 
• Define “achievable and sustainable” goals and work with your child to create a learning plan together 
• Identify and apply strategies to help your child stay on track and ways to celebrate progress 
• Apply strategies to partner effectively with your child’s teacher and support services staff ● Recognize the importance of building a support network 

Let’s Talk about Care and Education Options. Do you feel uncertain about whether fall 2020 is the time for your young child to be in a classroom learning environment? Are you torn between the benefits of what social stimulation and creative teachers can do for your child and protecting your family from community spread? Did you find your child enjoyed online learning but want to do something more this fall? 

For decades, small numbers of parents of young children have joined forces to provide some of the benefits of classrooms in early care and education centers. But how to proceed when there are so many possibilities? Join us in this class on assessing and planning for your young child’s care and education experiences. In this class you will learn about: 

• How to think about your education values for your children 
• Well-understood models for education young children outside of classrooms 
• What are the financial costs vs. time benefits for parents of these approaches 
• How do you get started in finding resources to help get something off the ground 

Early childhood cooperatives have sprung up out of parents with shared values banning together to share teaching and care responsibilities. However, other options also exist from high cost nannies to shared cost, microschools, to loving, lower cost family day care homes, to learning from home with resources from public schools. 

You want to support your child and don’t feel prepared or qualified?  

Looking back at last spring and don’t want to become the nagger again?  

Hoping there is a better way?  

This class is for you. Your child will likely participate in distance learning and you want to support them without being in charge of the instruction. This class will help you make sure they have what they need and are engaged in learning.  

After this class you will be able to: 

• Recognize the difference between support and instruction 
• Identify goals for learning 
• Inspire motivation in your child 
• Apply learning strategies outside of the standard curriculum 
• Apply effective communication that will support and inspire your child 

Back to school is upon us and you’re still not sure how to proceed or you’re unhappy with your initial choice. If there’s anything 2020 has taught us, it’s that there is no need to rush into schooling. This is a dynamic learning environment and your school age, tween or teen student can thrive. In this class we will talk about how to approach school and learning in 2020. Don’t worry if you feel stuck – you always have choices. 

After this class you will be able to: 

• Recognize your options including distance learning, home schooling, education pods and remote learning while others are “live” in school 
• Identify considerations for your child and family in order to analyze options and make a choice 
• Apply strategies that will keep your family agile in thinking about school and adjusting approaches 
• Plan with your family and take next steps 

Little Kids, Big Transitions: What Really Helps

Learning to use the potty and entering kindergarten are two important transitions that can be stressful for both parents and children. You and your child will have a much easier time with both of these big changes when you know what to expect and have a plan. Parents who view these classes will be able to:

• Recognize the challenges young children face in managing emotions
• Recognize signs of readiness in your child and in yourself to start the potty training process
• Identify activities you can use to help your child prepare for a new school experience
• Apply effective strategies that support your child to be successful at potty training 
• Apply effective strategies that will help your child be ready to enter kindergarten with less stress

Transitioning to kindergarten is an important life event. It can be both a scary and exciting time for you and your child. You may be wondering: Is my child ready? Am I ready?  

It helps to remember that children are unique. Each child starts kindergarten with a wide range of skills.  Many parents are concerned about academic skills and we may forget about the particularly important emotional skills that help your child succeed. Participants in this workshop will be able to: 

• Discuss kindergarten and upcoming changes in ways that inspire curiosity and motivation to learn  
• Manage home and school routines that support calm, positive mornings and evenings 
• Apply approaches that promote confidence and independence  
• Foster a productive home – school connection

You want to support your child and don’t feel prepared or qualified?  

Looking back at last spring and don’t want to become the nagger again?  

Hoping there is a better way?  

This class is for you. Your child will likely participate in distance learning and you want to support them without being in charge of the instruction. This class will help you make sure they have what they need and are engaged in learning.  

After this class you will be able to: 

• Recognize the difference between support and instruction 
• Identify goals for learning 
• Inspire motivation in your child 
• Apply learning strategies outside of the standard curriculum 
• Apply effective communication that will support and inspire your child