With the contact that you have with families, you have the opportunity to play a critical role in helping families maintain balance and well being. As professionals in organizations, I can promote the importance of you and your community of practice.
Messages and suggestions to improve family relationships will give participants practical assistance to accomplish their difficult and challenging jobs. Participants are also reminded to take care of themselves. We are in desperate need of people who have skills, knowledge and compassion coupled with the strength of conviction to impact families and the health of young children.
Workshops that I offer include:
 The Early Years - The Critical Years: Strategies for Early Interventions
Early care has a decisive and long-lasting impact on how children develop, their ability to learn and their capacity to regulate their own emotions. How does the new knowledge about the brain impact those who care for and about children? What strategies can professionals use to engage parents as partners in supporting their child's educational journey? Helpful suggestions for parents will encourage thoughtful lessons in the home. The workshop will include communication techniques to promote a professional relationship between the home and the professional which are necessary if learning objectives are to be achieved.
The purpose of early education is not only to impart knowledge, it is also to engender in children the sense that they can and want to become a learner. Recent research assures us that human development hinges on the interplay between nature and nurture. A thoughtful look at both cognitive and emotional intelligence will include insights and skills to apply to everyday experiences with children.
Courage and Commitment
Although caring for children requires stamina, creativity, humor and persistence, those who care for and about children must also be aware of their responsibilities as role models, teachers and outspoken advocates. The Dalai Lama teaches that a tree with strong roots can withstand the most violent storm, but the tree can't grow roots just as the storm appears on the horizon. What actions are necessary for each of us as we stand up and are counted as adults who believe children need not grow up alone? What are the protective factors needed to help our children during their life journey? What risk factors can we diminish? Early childhood education must be about assisting children and their families to grow strong root systems. This takes courage and commitment.
Family & Community
Families today are raising their children in a "socially toxic environment" according to James Garbarino. This toxicity is composed of violence, a growing culture of paranoia, the shifting nature of economic life and a deteriorating sense of community. Mary Pipher warns of the technology intrusion that is creating havoc within homes. Community for many families, according to Pipher, too often is a situation comedy actor or actress. We know more about Seinfeld than we do our neighbors. It is with a sense of isolation parents seek guidance, information and support. This meeting between parent and professional can be a spring board to helping focus on family health and well being. Children are most influenced by their families. You have the opportunity to guide parents in making better at home decision regarding positive family routines and rituals, resulting in emotional sustenance for the children about whom all the involved adults care.
Here are some of the Organizations, for whom Ada has spoken.
- Foster Parents
- Providers Choice
- Head Start
- Minnesota Council on Family Relations
- National Council on Family Relations
- Greater Minneapolis Day Care
- International Reading Association
- Northland Foundation
- Ready 4 K
- Optimists
- Down Syndrome Foundation
- Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children
- Minnesota Community Education Association
- Phi Delta Kappa
- Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals
- American Association of University Women
- Therapists and Psychologists - Minnesota State Conference
- State Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners
- Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
- Home Daycare and Child Care Providers Conferences
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners
- Home Visitors Training
Additional workshops on many other topics are available. Please contact me to request or suggest other seminars.
Hear what others have to say about these seminars
|
