For the second year in a row, East Greenbush Central School District will offer a series of free parent workshops on a variety of topics, such as moderating technology use at home; recognizing anxiety in children; addressing defiance at home, and self-care for parents. The workshops meet the strategic plan objective to continue positive collaborative relationships with families.

The first parent workshop is titled “Developing Intrinsic Motivation” and is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Columbia High School auditorium. The workshops are open to all parents of students in grades K-12.

The presenter of the workshops will be Dr. Jennifer Bashant, a social worker and education trainer from Building Better Futures.

“The response to these evening sessions last year was overwhelmingly positive and this particular initiative exemplifies a school and community working together to best care for our students and children,” said James McHugh, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “We are currently planning additional evening sessions with the East Greenbush Police Department on The Dangers of Vaping, Using Technology (Cell Phones and Gaming) Safely, and C.R.A.S.E. (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events).”

Developing Intrinsic Motivation
October 1, 2019
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Columbia High School Auditorium

Motivation is a fascinating topic for employers, for teachers and also for parents. During this workshop, you will learn the three components that must be present in order to help your child develop intrinsic motivation. We will discuss ways to use these components at home to encourage your child to be more engaged, interested and motivated to act, simply because it feels rewarding to them when they do so.

Recognizing and Coping with Anxiety
November 12, 2019
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Columbia High School Auditorium

One in eight children in America has a diagnosable anxiety disorder, but anxiety can be hard to recognize because it often masquerades as anger or behavioral challenges. This workshop will show you what to look for, and how to recognize different types of anxiety, such as perfectionism, separation anxiety, phobias and generalized anxiety. You will also learn tips and strategies for helping your child cope with and overcome anxiety.

The Highly Sensitive Child
December 3, 2019
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Columbia High School Auditorium

Is your child easily overwhelmed by bright lights, smells, coarse fabrics, or tight clothing? Does your child become overwhelmed when they have a lot to do? Do you notice your child needs to withdraw during busy days, into bed or a darkened room or some other place where he can have privacy? Does your child notice details like works of art, nature, or others’ feelings? Does your child have a rich and complex imagination? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may have a highly sensitive child, which is both a gift and a challenge. During this workshop, you will learn strategies for making life easier for both you and your child, and reducing the number and intensity of meltdowns.

Keep the Tech in Check at Home
January 14, 2020
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Columbia High School Auditorium

One of the biggest challenges of parenting today is trying to figure out how to moderate our kids’ use of technology. It can be a daily struggle over how much time is spent on phones, computers and video games. As parents, we know too much technology is detrimental, but how much is too much? You may be asking yourself, “What are the harmful effects of technology? How do I limit my child’s tech when it is all he or she wants to do?” This workshop will answer all of these questions, and any others that you may have about keeping technology in check at home.

Addressing Defiance at Home
February 11, 2020
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Columbia High School Auditorium

Whether your child’s defiance is considered a disorder, or within the normal range of age-appropriate behavior, defiance may be one of the most frustrating behaviors parents face. Quite often, our first instinct is to tighten the reins and seek to gain control over the situation, however, this almost always results in even more defiance. During this workshop, you will learn how collaboration can be a powerful tool to overcome defiance and reduce the fighting and behavioral challenges in your household.

Self-Care for Parents
March 10, 2020
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Genet Elementary School Auditorium

Parenting is the most important and most rewarding job on earth, but one that can seem relentless and exhausting, especially if your child has challenging behavior. Self-care is a crucial part of being an effective parent, yet many of us struggle to find the time to take care of ourselves after all of our responsibilities are fulfilled. During this workshop, you will learn about burnout, take an assessment to gauge your stress level, and learn and practice simple, easy to implement ways to begin to care for yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and self-care is not selfish!

Mindful Parenting
April 7, 2020
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Genet Elementary School Auditorium

Learn how to help your child reduce stress, regulate emotions and improve focus and concentration. You will also learn simple ways to begin a mindfulness practice yourself.