FREE Parenting Workshops — Spring 2016
All families have strengths and all families have challenges. These workshops are a safe place to learn and build on existing skills.
All Dufferin Parent Support Network (DPSN) workshops are free of charge and open to men, women and couples. Registration is required.
For more information, or to register for a workshop, contact us at info@dpsn.ca or 519-940-8678. www.dpsn.ca
Daytime
Schoolwork Strategies for Parents:
Help Your Child Find Success at School
April 11, 1–3 PM—1 afternoon
Orangeville Public Library, 1 Mill Street
What if your children hate homework or struggle in class?
Help them improve their grades and be more successful
while increasing their confidence and self-esteem. This
workshop provides practical ways to learn how your child
learns and strategies to help your child in an effective and
enjoyable manner.
Anger, Parenting and You
April 20 and 27, 1:00–3:00—2 afternoons
John Howard Society—295A Broadway Avenue
We all strive for healthy communication between parents
and children. This workshop helps you recognize your anger
triggers and how to release anger safely, and help you teach
your children how to manage their emotional responses.
Participants will examine coping strategies for anger and
stress management for both parents and children.
Monday Evenings
Healthy Lunches for Kids (Even Picky Eaters)
April 4, 7–9 PM—1 night
Parkinson Centennial Public School—120 Lawrence Ave.
Kids want lunches that are fun and taste good, while
parents want to provide nutritious choices. In this
workshop, you’ll learn why healthy lunches and snacks play
an important part in your child’s learning process as well as
tricks and tips to make lunches healthier for your kids.
Appreciating the Gifts of Our Differences
April 11 and 18, 7–9 PM—2 nights
Princess Margaret Public School—51 Wellington
Diversity in our temperaments keeps our relationships
interesting. It can also bring challenges when we try to
reach common ground with someone with a different
“operating system,” whether in a personal relationship or
when advocating for ourselves or others. This workshop
will introduce you to the unique qualities of a variety of
styles, help you identify your own strengths and
challenges, and help you develop insights, strategies and
new perspectives when connecting with others.
Schoolwork Strategies for Parents:
Help Your Child Find Success at School
May 2, 7--9 PM—1 evening
Centre Dufferin High School, 150 Fourth Avenue
Please see the daytime workshops for a description.
Tuesday Evenings
Supporting Your Child to Manage Emotions
April 5 and 12, 7–9 PM—2 nights
Princess Margaret Public School—51 Wellington
It is natural and expected for children to experience a range
of emotions often throughout their development. If coping
with feelings becomes overwhelming to the extent of
significantly impacting daily life, then it becomes important
for the adult caregivers to know how to support their
children in developing coping strategies. This workshop
helps parents/caregivers identify triggers to a variety of
emotions and respond/support appropriately
Understanding the Zones of Regulation
April 19, 6:30–8:30 PM—1 night
Princess Margaret Public School—51 Wellington
Participants will gain an understanding of the “Zones of
Regulation” curriculum and how to best implement it with
children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. “The Zones”
are a systematic approach used to teach self-regulation by
categorizing feelings. Attendees will receive worksheets
and information, so you can begin to implement it at home
or complement the schools’ use of it.
Winning at Parenting
May 3, 10, 24 and 31, 7–9 PM—4 nights
Please note that there is no session on May 17
Island Lake Public School—50 Oak Ridge Drive
Based on the international bestseller, Kids Are Worth It! by
Barbara Coloroso, this workshop is applicable to children
from toddlers to teens. Topics covered include discipline,
mealtime, bedtime, problem solving, chores, and
allowance.
Strategies for Teaching Individuals with Autism
Spectrum Disorder Online Safety Skills
May 17, 6:30–8:30 PM—1 night
Princess Margaret Public School—51 Wellington
This workshop will introduce participants to popular
websites and social media sites, outlining the risks and
strengths involved with each. It is designed to teach
respite workers, caregivers and agency staff how to keep
children and teens with Autism Spectrum disorder safe
online, with practical steps and tools.
Thursday Evenings (cont’d…)
Wednesday Evenings
Blended Families
March 30 & April 6, 7–9 PM—2 nights
Parkinson Centennial Public School—120 Lawrence Ave.
Blended families present unique challenges. Learn how to
build the foundations of a new family while respecting the
original. This workshop will cover topics such as setting
boundaries, communication, building relationships before
discipline, and parenting together.
Let’s Explore Communication
The New Health Curriculum
April 13, 7–9 PM (1 night)
Parkinson Centennial Public School—120 Lawrence Ave.
This workshop, facilitated by an Upper Grand District School
Board Curriculum Leader and Principal of Program, will
provide an overview of the changes in the Growth and
Development section of the Health Curriculum. We
will compare changes from the 1998 Curriculum and chart
the key learning that happens from Grade 1 to 8.
Managing Your Emotions During the Court
Process
May 5, 7–9 PM—1 night
Princess Margaret Public School—51 Wellington
Facilitated by both a lawyer and a psychotherapist, this
workshop focuses on how our emotions affect us as we go
through the family law process, and how to ensure those
emotions do not ensnare us both in litigation and our
personal lives. Topics will include the role of counsellors in
family law proceedings, the effects of emotions in the
family law process, and techniques for managing emotions
in the midst of a family law dispute.
Positive Discipline for Effective Parenting
May 4, 11, 18 and 25, 7–9 PM—4 nights
Parkinson Centennial Public School—120 Lawrence Ave.
This workshop uses theories and information from a
combination of parenting experts to provide you with
practical information and ideas to help you along your
everyday parenting journey. We’ll look at discipline as a
teaching tool, working together as a couple to parent
consistently, parenting styles, and practical tools to help
both you and your child be successful within your family.
Thursday Evenings
Navigating the Special Education System
March 31, 6:30–8:30 PM—1 night
Princess Margaret Public School—51 Wellington
Understand the special education system for your child
diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This workshop
will help parents develop a 5-year plan for their child’s
education, prepare for a school meeting, learn about the
process of the Individual Education Plan (IEP), about
successful home/school communication and much more.
Thursday, May 12, 7–9 PM
Collaborative and Proactive Solutions with Dr. Ross Greene
a non-punitive, non-adversarial approach to parenting that is collaborative,
proactive, skill-building and relationship-enhancing
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Find our up-to-date schedule
on our website at
www.dpsn.ca
April 7, 14 & 21, 7–9 PM (3 nights)
Princess Elizabeth Public School—51 Elizabeth Street
Communication is the key to positive, respectful
relationships. In this workshop we will explore different
communication approaches with our children and others,
effective speaking and listening skills and strategies, and
the language of encouragement.
Family Law in Ontario
May 19, 7–9 PM—1 night
Princess Margaret Public School—51 Wellington
Learn from a lawyer about the family law process, how to
resolve disputes, the steps in the court process, and how
to find help. While this is a stand-alone workshop,
attending Managing Your Emotions During the Court
Process is strongly recommended.
Positive Parenting from Separate Homes
May 26, 6:30–9:30—1 night
Dufferin Child & Family Services—655 Riddell Road
Are you worried about the effects of separation, divorce
and parenting from two homes on your children? Learn to
manage these changes to ensure that your children don’t
get caught in the middle of parental conflict. You will learn
to understand your feelings, your children’s needs and
develop a business-like relationship with the other parent.
You will not be asked to talk about your individual
situation as the program is for general information.
03/11
Drop-In Parenting Groups:
Monday daytime (Orangeville): April 4–May 16
Tuesday evening (Shelburne): April 5–May 17
Wednesday evenings—teens/preteens (Orangeville): April 6–May 18