Family Connects are one-off online events providing an opportunity to connect with other parents and carers via Zoom and learn about topics relevant to families and children aged 0-5. Plus you will share ideas in how to support children’s early education and each other.
The Connect sessions are free thanks to funding from the Department of Education.
Exploring schemas
Friday 24 May, 10am – 11am
Have you noticed your child likes to throw food from their high chair at mealtimes? Or separate the different foods on their plate? Or maybe they like to move things from one place to another?
It could be that your child is exploring a schema. Schemas are repeated patterns of play which help children to learn and make sense of the world.
This session will explore what schemas are and the things you may observe in your children, as well as consider ways that you can support your child with simple activities you can do in the home.
Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing
Monday 3 June, 1pm – 2pm
Parents provide the main support to children’s emotional development. We will discover how you can help your children as they become people in their own right; learning to walk, talk and master other routines of daily life and how to help you manage children’s moods. Join us to understand what children need emotionally, and how best to encourage healthy emotional development.
Supporting children’s speech, language and communication
Wednesday 12 June, 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Join us for this family connect session where we will be taking a closer look at why speech language and communication is so important and how you may see this developing in your own child/ren. We will be sharing practical tips and ideas about how you can further support your child’s developing communication and language skills.
Building babies brains
Thursday 20 June, 10am – 11am
Did you know that in the first years of a child’s life their brains develop rapidly? In this Family Connect session we’ll discuss children’s early brain development and explore ideas to actively engage your child through everyday activities like playing, reading and being there when they feel stress. We’ll share information and ideas to support you to help your baby develop a healthy brain.
What a wonderful world! Making the most of nature’s magical moments
Thursday 27 June, 1pm – 2pm
Children have a natural sense of awe and wonder and want to find out more about the world in which they live, and what better way to do this than to use all that nature provides.
During this connect session we will explore ways in which you can use the outdoors to support children’s innate connection with the natural world. We will share eco-friendly ideas that will not only support their learning but also their wellbeing, and develop an understanding of how we can empower our children as future caretakers of the world.
Moving on up to school
Monday 1 July, 1pm – 2pm
Join us for this family connect session where we will share tips and ideas to support you and your child in preparing for school.
We’ll explore fun learning activities that can be easily replicated at home to support your child’s learning and development, and discuss top tips to help your child’s transition to school to run smoothly.
Summer fun
Thursday 11 July, 10am – 11am
With the summer months approaching, families may find themselves wanting to, or feeling the pressure to, plan fun-filled weeks of activities, trips and outings with their children whilst the sun is shining, and perhaps they are not attending an early years setting or school for the summer break.
This Family Connect session provides some practical ideas for low-cost activities to do with your family, at home or within your local area, without having to break the bank. All activities suggested will be supporting your children’s learning and development, whilst you are having fun together! The session will also consider keeping children safe in the sun, around water, and reasons to explore the outdoors!
Supporting and understanding behaviour
Wednesday 17 July, 1pm – 2pm
In this session we try to define behaviour and look to delve into some of the influences and functions of children’s behaviour with tips, advice and information about how you can support this, and finally rounding things up with a discussion around how you can support your child’s behaviour.
Building babies brains
Wednesday 7 August, 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Did you know that in the first years of a child’s life their brains develop rapidly? In this Family Connect session we’ll discuss children’s early brain development and explore ideas to actively engage your child through everyday activities like playing, reading and being there when they feel stress. We’ll share information and ideas to support you to help your baby develop a healthy brain.
Exploring schemas
Friday 23 August, 10am – 11am
Have you noticed your child likes to throw food from their high chair at mealtimes? Or separate the different foods on their plate? Or maybe they like to move things from one place to another?
It could be that your child is exploring a schema. Schemas are repeated patterns of play which help children to learn and make sense of the world.
This session will explore what schemas are and the things you may observe in your children, as well as consider ways that you can support your child with simple activities you can do in the home.
Supporting children’s speech, language and communication
Wednesday 18 September, 10am – 11am
Join us for this family connect session where we will be taking a closer look at why speech language and communication is so important and how you may see this developing in your own child/ren. We will be sharing practical tips and ideas about how you can further support your child’s developing communication and language skills.
