It’s not easy being a parent these days. Cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, television; there are many outside influences that are hard to monitor and difficult to understand, but there is help.
All parents are invited to a workshop at Springbank Middle School on Nov. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The workshop will answer questions such as: Is social media safe? Why is my child acting this way and what can I do about it? Is my child eating enough or too much? Are the behaviours of the kids’ in that favourite TV show really affecting my child?
“When parents are armed with more knowledge it makes their very challenging job a little easier,” said Pam Davidson, Springbank Middle School principal.
“Last year, the feedback was phenomenal. Parents said they learned a lot and left wanting more.”
Speakers at the event will include Cst. Wendy Parker with the Calgary Police Youth Education and Intervention Unit. Parker will present a seminar on Internet safety and cyberbullying. She will provide information to gauge insights into how teenagers behave online and the risks young people take online.
“These things can be very challenging for parents to sort out and this will help them with that,” said Davidson. “It gives them a place to start.”
Dr. Michelle Kincade, clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist, will return to teach parents about the tween and teen years.
“These years are a time of major developmental changes, particularly in the brain,” said Davidson. “The types of changes occurring in the brain may help to explain some unexpected behavioural changes. This talk will address some important issues to consider when talking to your child who is going through this major development period.”
“(In 2009) Dr. Kincade presented us with research into the development of the adolescent brain and how this development is impacting the behaviour and emotions of our tweens and teens,” said Deb Shields, member of the Springbank Middle School Council. “Her session was one of the most highly attended of the day. We received a great deal of positive feedback on both the content and presentation of her topic, and requests for her to return and speak at our next workshop.”
Davidson said this year’s topics were chosen based on parents’ input after last year’s presentations.
“We wanted to tailor it to what they want to learn about,” she said.
“If we get a good response this year, we are planning on doing it more than once per year.”
Speaker Samara Felesky-Hunt, registered dietitian and nutritionist, will look at the role of parents in developing children’s food preferences and healthy eating patterns, said Davidson.
“She will also give advice for encouraging healthy eating in children and teens. Samara will spend time looking at the effects of specific nutrients in the diet on cognition, immunity and healthy weights. She will also address protein, iron, calcium, vitamin D and fibre and how much kids really do need daily,” said Davidson.
“Lastly, Samara will inspire you with some new ideas for brown bag lunches and after school snacks.”
Laurie Florence, senior facilitator of Families Matter, will be speaking on the 3R’s; Respect, Responsibility and Resiliency.
“In this workshop, we explore; behaviours that we find disrespectful and irresponsible; changing attitudes to children and the impact of media influences; and strategies to identify and encourage children’s strengths, drawing on the assets within your child, family and community,” said Florence.
Logos Bookstore will be on site with pre-selected reading material for sale relating to the above topics.
Admission to the workshop is $25 per person or $40 per couple. To register, call Springbank Middle School at 403-242-4456.
