2016 Lectures
The Center for Children and Families welcomed parents and professionals for its eighth annual series of lectures titled “Empowering Children and Parents Together.”
| Doris Luft de Baker, Ph.D. “Enlace: Linking Oral Language Activities in School and at Home” |  |  |
Non-native English learners tend to lag behind their peers in vocabulary and language proficiency before they enter kindergarten and they have a difficult time catching up. Interactive read alouds and vocabulary activities that can be implemented in any language encourage extended discourse and deep processing of word meanings to promote oral language growth. This presentation will provide examples of how these interactive activities can be used across diverse settings in Spanish and in English.
| Shayla Holub, Ph.D. “Promoting Family Health Through the Parent-Child Feeding Relationship” | | |
Unhealthy foods are readily available, cheaper than healthy alternatives, and advertised directly to children. Parents play an instrumental role in helping children navigate this unhealthy food environment. This presentation will discuss characteristics of children and parents that put some families at risk for eating challenges and how developing a positive parent-child feeding relationship benefits both parent and child.
| Adriana Villa Baird, M.S., LPC, IMH-E (IV) “Empowering Children and Parents Through Play” | |  | |
Children naturally explore the world through play and gain skills for life. Play is one of the best ways for parents to engage with their children in activities that lay a foundation for school readiness. This presentation will share methods employed in the Juega Conmigo (Play With Me) program to support parents and their young children in growth-promoting play activities and strengthen positive parent-child relationships. Lessons learned from experiences with parents from different cultural backgrounds will also be shared.
| George W. Holden, Ph.D. “Is There a Better Way to Discipline? Protecting Children and Promoting Positive Behavior” | | | |
There is strong evidence that corporal punishment is both ineffective and associated with unintended problems. In addition, an awareness of research findings can change parents’ attitudes about corporal punishment. This presentation will review research on the effects of physical punishment and parents’ attitudes towards its use, and will explore an alternative child-rearing approach labeled “positive discipline.”