Workshop Session I

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Parenting Matters workshops are led by child development and behavior professionals who offer expert advice on raising kids today.

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1. Pride and Joy in the Classroom: Strengthening Children’s Motivation and Interest in Learning

Kenneth Barish, PhD, keynote speaker and author of Pride and Joy: A Guide to Understanding Children’s Emotions and Solving Family Problems.

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2. Stress Management for Caregivers

C. Sloan Alday, PhD, Bradley Hospital/The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Discuss how stress affects parents and caregivers, and why it’s important to care for themselves as well as their children. Practice strategies for managing stress.

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3. The Impact of Modern Technology on the American Family

Ellen M. Hoy, MEd, Gateway Healthcare

Explore how mass media, the Internet, the use of Facebook and texting have added to increased levels of anxiety—especially in teens—and have fostered isolative behaviors in our youth.

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4. Behavioral Evaluation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Todd Levine, MD, Women & Infants Hospital/The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University

Parents, caregivers and teachers will learn about evaluating behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders.

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5. Helping Kids Cope Following a Tragedy

Marilyn Sykulski, MSW, Bradley Hospital

We are exposed to tragic events that can rattle our sense of safety and impact our children. Learn ways to respond to our kids and help them cope in these challenging times.

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6. Sensory Processing: The Link between Sensory Processing and Picky Eating

Jane Cancilliere, MS, MEd, OTR/L, COMS c/NDT
Lindsay Daniels, MOT OTR/L MS, OTR/L

Discuss the functional impact of sensory processing difficulties on a child’s food repertoire and introduce strategies to enhance one’s variety of foods and mealtime skills.

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7. Understanding Bullying in Childhood: What Does it Look Like and How You Can Help.

Rochelle Fritz, PhD
Katherine Lingras, PhD, Bradley Hospital/The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Discuss different types of bullying behavior, how to identify them, and what parents, teachers and professionals can do to help those who bully, are bullied or who witness bullying.

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8. A Safe Place: Heart-Centered Communication at Home

Johanna Corcoran, founder, Familytopia (www.myfamilytopia.com)

Ever wondered what your child is thinking but have trouble getting them to open up? Discover fun, simple and effective techniques to help parents create a space where children feel it’s safe to share their struggles, hopes and dreams with the people who matter most—you!

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9. The Fearful Child

Jennifer Jencks, PhD, LICSW, Bradley Hospital

Discover the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders in childhood and treatment guidelines for parents and teachers.

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10. Managing Challenging Behavior in a Child Care Setting

Marge Paccione-Dyslewski, PhD
Walter Heisler, BS, Bradley Hospital/The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Discuss behaviors of early childhood and elementary-age children that are challenging for care providers, and examine the “why’s” and “how’s” of addressing them.

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 11. Learning to Read: When Things Go Right and When They Go Wrong

Karen A. Holler, PhD, Bradley Hospital/The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Reading disabilities are the most common form of learning disorders in childhood. Discover the usual steps to learn reading skills, ways reading can go off track, and methods to address reading disorders early and effectively.

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12. Feeling Frazzled? Yoga and Stress Reduction for Everyone!

Susan Curria, BS, Bradley Hospital

Introductory workshop uncovers the mystery of how and why chronic stress impacts our overall health and well-being for both children and their parents. Discover mind/body awareness and practice the relaxation/stress reduction skills of yoga. Breath awareness, progressive muscle relaxation, object awareness and guided imagery will be utilized in a calming and therapeutic environment.

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13. Sadness, Badness and Madness: Parenting Depressed Adolescents

Jennifer Wolff, PhD, Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center/The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Gain insight into the reasons behind your teens' emotions and the ways you can help.

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14. Confident and Self-Assured Kids: Strategies to Combat Childhood Anxiety

Julie Braciszewski, PhD, Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center/The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University; and RICBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Coaching.

Discover ways to help kids battle fears and worries to become more confident and self-assured.

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15. Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Emily Garthee, Rhode Island Parent Information Network

What you and your child need to know for a successful transition to kindergarten.