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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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.