Talks on parenting from Library Service
There are two elements to the series, which is funded by Kildare County Council. The Let’s Talk about Parenting section is supported by the HSE Primary Care Psychology Team, TUSLA Child and Family Agency, Public Health Nurse HSE, Treoir, Kildare Youth Service, Kildare County Childcare Committee, Teach Tearmainn, and Community Awareness of Drugs.
The other talks are part of the Library Service’s Toys, Technology and Training Project.
All events are funded by Kildare County Council and attendance is free, but advance booking is required at the library where the talk is happening.
A brochure outlining the full programme of talks and workshops for 2017 will be available from the local library later this month, but we provide below those arranged for January and February in the libraries closest to Kilcullen. For further information please check out www.kildare.ie/library.
Speakeasy — Talking to Your Child about Growing Up (Naas Library)
Presented by Irish Family Planning Association, Thursday 19th January 3–6pm for four weeks
This HSE funded Speak Easy course is designed to provide parents with the information, confidence and skills needed to talk about growing up, relationships and sexuality to children and teenagers. By the end of this course parents will be able to communicate information tailored to suit the needs and learning style of their own individual children. Learning will be facilitated through discussion, experiential exercises and accessible resources. Parents will also be equipped with useful tips and practical strategies and useful resources that can be used in the home on an everyday basis.
Self-harming Behaviours in Young People (Naas Library)
Presented by Marguerite Kiely, Clinical Director, Pieta House, Tuesday 24th January 7pm
Many young people do things that they know are harmful to themselves to help them to cope with difficult emotions or experiences. This might be eating or drinking too much or taking drugs. Sometimes young people intentionally harm themselves for the same reasons. This presentation will provide information for parents in how to recognise and respond to signs of self-harming behaviours in their teens. It will also cover the issues that affect children and adolescents who access Pieta House services and the type of help they can offer.
On being a parent in Action (Naas Library)
Presented by Kildare Youth Services, Monday 30th January 10am
This 2-hour active workshop helps parents explore the different ways they can, sometimes unknowingly, get stuck operating from old or restricted ways of parenting. Often these roles and role responses are self limiting and can make parents feel isolated, angry and limited in how to respond with credibility, flexibility and spontaneity to problems as they arise. This workshop will challenge and support parents to experience themselves in a new and more enriching way and add value to their engagement with members of their family and more broadly.
Workshop on Social Stories (Newbridge Library)
With Dr Dorothy Armstrong, Occupational Therapist, Saturday 4th February 10am
Social stories are written to help children on the autism spectrum to cope better with social situations. This 3 hour workshop will be delivered by Dr Dorothy Armstrong and is aimed at parents, teachers and others who work with children with ASD. Dorothy will explain what social stories are, how they work and what the guidelines are for writing them. Participants will have the opportunity to practice writing social stories.
Supports for Children with Disabilities in their Free Preschool Year (Naas Library)
With Marie Dowdall, Kildare County Childcare Committee, Thursday 9th February 7pm
In this session, Marie will give an overview of the new Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) that was announced in Budget 2016 to support children with disabilities who are participating in their free preschool year. The aim of the model is to ensure that children with disabilities have access to a preschool service and are actively involved in the preschool curriculum and activities. Marie will talk parents through the different types of supports available and how parent can avail of these supports. There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers.
Adam Harris, Founder of AsIAm.ie (Athy Library)
Tuesday 14th February 7pm
Adam Harris is the 21 year old social entrepreneur and CEO-founder of AsIAm.ie, Ireland's online support and advocacy service for those affected by Autism Spectrum Conditions. Adam founded AsIAm in response to his own experiences of living with Aspergers Syndrome and the need for greater public awareness of Autism. During the session, Adam will give an insight into his experiences of Aspergers Syndrome, the work of AsIAm.ie and the role a community can play in empowering people with Autism. Parents, professionals and young people are invited to meet Adam and hear his own positive and inspiring story about living with Aspergers. The talk is aimed at helping primary school children with issues such as Dyspraxia, Asperger’s, ADHD/ADD, and Down Syndrome prepare to transition to secondary school.
Raising Happy Kids in an Anxious World (Naas Library)
Presented by Stella O’Malley, Thursday 16th February 7pm
Most parents want to raise happy kids, however life's stressors often get in the way! This talk helps parents to rekindle the joy in family life with practical tips and strategies for parents to use in their day to day life.
The New Single Affordable Childcare Programme and Choosing Quality Childcare in Kildare (Kildare Library)
Presented by Emily Moore and Marie Dowdall, Kildare County Childcare Committee, Thursday 16th February 7pm
In this session, Emily will firstly give an overview of the new Single Affordable Childcare Programme that was announced in Budget 2017. She will go through the eligibility criteria and give an opportunity for questions and answers. Marie will then speak about childcare in Kildare and how to choose the right setting for your child. She will take you through the guide on the KCCC website on the different things you should look for in a quality services and important questions to ask.
Dr Dorothy Armstrong, Occupational Therapist (Naas Library)
Tuesday 28th February 7pm
Dr Dorothy Armstrong will host an evening that is aimed at parents, teachers and those who work with this population. It will cover issues such as:
· Challenges when transitioning to secondary school.
· The preparation needed to prepare the child for the transition.
· Strategies that will help with organisation and secondary school readiness.
· Strategies to promote inclusion once the student is there.
Continuous Professional Development Certificates of Attendance for all TTT and Let’s Talk about Parenting events in 2017 will only be given in person on the evening/day of the event. So please remember to ask for your cert before you leave as it will not be possible to provide them at a later date.
Library Contact Details
Athy Library: 059 8631144; athylib@kildarecoco.ie
Kildare Town Library: 045 520235; kildarelib@kildarecoco.ie
Naas Library: 045 879111; naaslib@kildarecoco.ie
Newbridge Library: 045 448353; newbridgelib@kildarecoco.ie
To find out what’s available in Co Kildare and West Wicklow for parents check out www.parentingsupport.ie.
