Parent education sessions

2018

As part of our commitment to providing quality services for Stonnington families, Council hosts a series of affordable, monthly parent information sessions between March and October.

With a focus on building family resilience, the sessions are designed to provide parents – a child’s most important teacher – with practical tips and strategies to help them thrive.

Bookings are essential.

Cost: $15 per session

To register and pay for one or all of the events, visit stonnington.vic.gov.au/parent-education

Access information: to request additional access support including the use of a hearing loop or an interpreter, please contact 8290 3397 or email cafs@stonnington.vic.gov.au

Parking information: These events are always well attended and parking options in the area may be limited. We encourage you to consider carpooling or public transport to get to the event.

Please note: Certificates of Participation will not be provided.

MARCH APRIL

Behaviour guidance and building resilience

Raising boys

Wednesday 14 March 2018 7pm–9pm

Wednesday 18 April 2018 7pm–9pm

PRESENTER:

Louise Dorrat – Educator and Behaviour Guidance Expert

PRESENTER:

Shona Bass – Early Life Foundations

VENUE:

Malvern Town Hall, Banquet Room 1251 High Street, Malvern

COST: $15

VENUE:

Malvern Town Hall, Banquet Room 1251 High Street, Malvern

COST: $15

Do you wonder why your child behaves the way they do? Do you feel that your life is too rushed? Do you value resilience in children yet want to keep your children safe? If so, then this session is for you.

The presentation will cover:

» how to identify what triggers children’s behaviour

» a seven-step plan to support your children and to encourage cooperative behaviour

» the importance of play in children’s learning

» getting the balance right between protecting children from possible harm without wrapping them up in the proverbial ‘cotton wool’, and

» strategies to build resilience in children.

Research, debate and opinion about what makes a girl a girl and a boy a boy, continues to attract media attention and pepper our conversations. The nature vs nurture argument rages on and often becomes a distraction from quality parenting. Understanding the individual child (regardless of gender), is always the recommended starting point for parents and educators.

In this session we unpack the key biological and sociocultural factors impacting boys, and offer strategies so that parents, family, educators and society can provide supportive affirming environments for boys to thrive and flourish and become integral parts of a healthy and safe society. We will also provide practical ideas and strategies.

MAY JUNE

Tricky teens: how to create a great relationship with your teen

Being safe and smart in the digital world

Wednesday 23 May 2018 7pm–9pm

Wednesday 27 June 2018 7pm–9pm

PRESENTER:

Andrew Fuller – Author and Clinical Psychologist

PRESENTER:

Martine Oglethorpe – The Modern Parent

VENUE:

Malvern Town Hall, Banquet Room 1251 High Street, Malvern

COST: $15

VENUE:

Malvern Town Hall, Banquet Room 1251 High Street, Malvern

COST: $15

Adolescents are a mystery to many adults – especially their parents. It is a time when three of the great changes of human life occur: the ability to reproduce, establish an identity, and the start of logical, rational, reasoned thought.

Based on a synthesis of recent research on early adolescence and brain development, renowned author and clinical psychologist, Andrew Fuller, will lift the lid on the adolescent brain and the essential conversations to have with them. This presentation provides parents with an overview of the way adolescents think and the implications for families.

Young people are becoming immersed in the digital world for learning, information, entertainment and socialisation.

With knowledge about what technology is capable of, as well as an understanding of how kids are spending time with their devices, parents can put themselves in the best position to safely and smartly incorporate technology into their lives. This session will focus on having the right discussions, boundaries and strategies that will help young people to make the best decisions online. This presentation will cover:

» what kids are doing online

» what apps are they using? And are they safe?

» coping with inappropriate content

» keeping video games under control

» privacy and predators

» online reputation and a positive digital footprint, and

» creating effective screen time boundaries.

AUGUST SEPTEMBER

Sleep (Birth to 2 years)

Raising girls

Wednesday 29 August 2018 7pm–9pm

Wednesday 19 September 2018 7pm–9pm

PRESENTER:

Helen Stevens – Founder of ‘Parent Infant Consultants’

PRESENTER:

Shona Bass – Early Life Foundations

VENUE:

Malvern Town Hall, Banquet Room 1251 High Street, Malvern

COST: $15

VENUE:

Malvern Town Hall, Banquet Room 1251 High Street, Malvern

COST: $15

Baby sleep and settling issues are problematic in surprisingly high numbers of families in the first years of life. Some parents may say that it is the result of something they have done, however, Maternal and Child Health nurse, Infant Mental Health clinician and Sleep Consultant, Helen Stevens, knows only too well that the causes of sleep disturbances are many.

For this reason, Helen’s presentation will cover normal sleep development and patterns and how to best support your baby to find sleep patterns that are appropriate for their development. Helen is not only the author of well-regarded sleep books, she also teaches professionals and families nation-wide about achieving optimal sleep for babies and toddlers.

Research, debate and opinion about what makes a girl a girl and a boy a boy, continues to attract media attention and pepper our conversations. The nature vs nurture argument rages on and often becomes a distraction from quality parenting. Understanding the individual child, (regardless of gender), is always the recommended starting point for parents and educators.

In this session we unpack the key biological and sociocultural factors impacting girls and offer strategies so that parents, family, educators and society can send strong affirming messages to our girls so that they will grow up believing in themselves as equitable and competent members of society. Participants will be given practical ideas and strategies.

OCTOBER

Supporting children through transitions

Wednesday 24 October 2018 7pm–9pm

PRESENTER:

Melinda Vander Reest – Early Life Foundations

VENUE:

Malvern Town Hall, Banquet Room 1251 High Street, Malvern

COST: $15

How do you know when your child is ready? What does readiness mean? Why is it important? There are confusing messages in the community about when is the best time to send a child to school.

This session considers the importance of sending a child to school when they have the maturity to make the most out of their learning. They can then enjoy their 13 years of formal schooling rather than just ‘cope’ or play catch up for many years. Some researchers claim that whether you are mature or not, you may get the same score in Year 12 as children who were more mature and so readiness is not a major issue. This session debunks the claim that readiness for school is as simple as a score at the end. It is the journey that matters and how you feel about yourself along the way. Readiness indicators and support strategies are provided in this session for parents who are thinking about when to start their child at school or kinder.

Dads Talk 2018 – for the new dadThe City of Stonnington is proud to deliver its popular Dads Talk program in 2018 – a series of free sessions designed for new dads to explore the various aspects of fatherhood.

Each of the Dads Talk sessions is facilitated by an experienced counsellor. The focus will be on the values and experiences of parents, parenting styles, family dynamics, what it’s like being a father and future expectations.

DATE TIME VENUE

Saturday 17 February 10.15am – 12pm Prahran Library

Saturday 17 March 10.15am – 12pm Phoenix Park Library – Meeting Room

Saturday 21 April 10.15am – 12pm Prahran Library

Saturday 19 May 10.15am – 12pm Phoenix Park Library – Meeting Room

Saturday 16 June 10.15am – 12pm Prahran Library

Saturday 21 July 10.15am – 12pm Phoenix Park Library – Meeting Room

Saturday 18 August 10.15am – 12pm Prahran Library

Saturday 15 September 10.15am – 12pm Phoenix Park Library – Meeting Room

Saturday 20 October 10.15am – 12pm Prahran Library

Saturday 17 November 10.15am – 12pm Phoenix Park Library – Meeting Room

Phoenix Park Library – Meeting Room 30 Rob Roy Road, Malvern East

Prahran Library 180 Greville Street, Prahran

Bookings essential: to register your attendance or for more information call 8290 3336.

Dads Connect 2018 – for dads with children of any ageBuilding on the success of the Dads Connect program, the City of Stonnington is proud to offer free sessions to dads with children of any age. Those who have previously attended Dads Connect, but still wish to connect and further explore their fatherhood journey are also welcome.

DATE TIME VENUE

Saturday, 5 May 10.15am – 12pm Malvern Library – upstairs meeting room

Saturday, 23 June 10.15am – 12pm Malvern Library – upstairs meeting room

Saturday, 25 August 10.15am – 12pm Malvern Library – upstairs meeting room

Saturday, 24 November 10.15am – 12pm Malvern Library – upstairs meeting room

Malvern Library – upstairs meeting room 1255 High Street, Malvern

Bookings essential: to register your attendance or for more information call 8290 3336.

Child and infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) sessions These CPR information sessions are provided for parents of children and infants. It is an initiative of Life Saving Victoria, together with the City of Stonnington Maternal and Child Health Services.

Central Park MCH Centre116 Burke Road Malvern East

Toorak Park MCH Centre4 Fulton Street Armadale

McArthur MCH Centre22 McArthur Street Malvern

Thursdays 7–9pm

Tuesdays 1.30–3.30pm

Tuesdays 7–9pm

19 April

21 June

2 August

11 October

6 December

6 March

3 April

5 June

14 August

16 October

11 December

20 February

8 May

17 July

11 September

13 November

Cost: $29.00 per person, for enquiries, call 8290 1333

Book and pay at either: Stonnington City Centre – 311 Glenferrie Road, Malvern or Prahran Town Hall – Corner Chapel and Greville Streets, Prahran

Parenting support and resources

Parentline Victoria 8am to midnight, 7 days a week T: 13 22 89

Maternal and Child Health Line

24 hours a day, 7 days a week T: 13 22 29

National Home Doctor Service

After-hours and weekend, bulk billed service

T: 13SICK (13 7425)

Relationships Australia Victoria

relationshipsvictoria.com.au T: 1300 364 277

Stepfamilies Australia stepfamily.org.au T: 9663 6733

Kids National Helpline kidshelp.com.au T: 1800 55 1800

Men’s Line Australia (24hrs)

mensline.org.au T: 1300 78 99 78

National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line (24hrs)

1800respect.org.au T: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Raising Children Network

raisingchildren.net.au

Early Childhood Australia

earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/parent-resources

Early Learning Association Australia

elaa.org.au/parents

Australian Institute of Family Studies

aifs.gov.au

Australian Childhood Foundation

childhood.org.au

Service CentresStonnington City Centre 311 Glenferrie Road, Malvern

Prahran Town Hall Corner Chapel and Greville Streets

Depot 293 Tooronga Road, Malvern

Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm T 8290 1333 F 9521 2255

PO Box 58, Malvern VIC 3144 council@stonnington.vic.gov.au

stonnington.vic.gov.au

Mandarin 9280 0730 Polish 9280 0734

Cantonese 9280 0731 Russian 9280 0735

Greek 9280 0732 Indonesian 9280 0737

Italian 9280 0733 All other languages 9280 0736

Community Languages Call the Stonnington Community Link, a multilingual telephone information service.