Family Resources of Natick, Natick Public Schools, and SPARK Kindness are collaborating to bring Natick families three free parent workshops with Jeanine Fitzgerald, a licensed, professional therapist, with a focus on empowering parents and caregivers to become a positive influence in the lives of children, even those whose behaviors you find disturbing, frustrating or challenging. Registration is required for these workshops, and limited childcare spots are available but not guaranteed.
Different Children/
Different Needs
Thursday, February 13
7:00 – 8:30pm
Natick High School
Children are not things to be molded, but people to be unfolded. This session is designed to reveal the essence of every child and what nurtures their greatness. Understanding the seven major influences on behavior and development is critical to ensuring that every child we relate to and interact with is visible, valued and supported in their own way. Together, we will discover the layers of possibilities waiting to unfold and the strengths each child brings to this world. These will be revealed through a research-based model of temperament that honors the differences among us.
Discipline Matters!
Thursday, March 26
7:00 – 8:30pm
Natick High School
Behaviors that challenge us are a function of the interaction between a child’s nature and the demands of an environment. When working with these behaviors, the only sound type of discipline is self-discipline. So how do we develop a comprehensive system that is anchored in sound principles, protects a child’s dignity, and achieves self-discipline? This session examines an approach that transcends traditional behavior management techniques based in coercion and embraces an approach that empowers others through our influence.
Emotions Coaching
Thursday, April 16
7:00 – 8:30pm
Natick High School
Emotions dominate the world of our children. Since emotions regulation precedes self-discipline, it is essential that we consciously nurture these skills from infancy through adolescence. Together we will identify the four skills of an emotions coach and how to teach emotions identification, modulation and expression to our children. The goal is not to suppress emotions, but to express them in ways that are not destructive to ourselves, others or property.