Submitted. The Challenge of Parenthood in the 21st Century is the title of a presentation open to parents and guardians in Abbotsford, as part of the school district’s annual Shared Learning conference. The parent presentation will be held on Thursday, February 19, starting at 6pm.
The presentation will serve as an introduction to self-regulation, a growing concept in schools around the world. Presenters Mike McKay, Director of the Canadian Self-Regulation Initiative (CSRI), and Keli Anderson, President and CEO of the Institute of Families for Child and Youth Mental Health, will examine: What are the stressors for children and parents in this century? What are home and school factors which impact children’s health? How do we help our children become calm, alert and ready to learn?
“Parents find it extremely helpful to work in partnership with their children’s schools in many ways, including having a shared understanding of self-regulation,” notes presenter Mike McKay. “We are fortunate today to understand so much more about how the brain works and how its remarkably integrated systems influence our ability to cope and to thrive. We also know about the powerful impact of stress and anxiety on a person’s ability to learn. This session will highlight the fundamental elements of the self-regulation framework, and how we are all better off understanding them, as well as being able to manage the variables that impact how we engage. It will include discussion on the growing issue of youth mental health and what we can all do to support our young people as they navigate their early years.”
“This presentation is an annual highlight for parents in our district,” says Board of Education Chair Cindy Schafer. “Parental and community engagement is one of the key elements of our Strategic Plan, and this event is one of the ways we want to support parents and children with positive and helpful information. Our Board and district are pleased to join with the District Parent Advisory Council to make this event possible.”
There will also be a free Community Programming and Services Showcase from 5 to 6pm, when representatives from child serving community organizations will be on hand to provide information about their programs and services. The evening is jointly presented by the Abbotsford School District and District Parent Advisory Council at the Abbotsford Arts Centre (2329 Crescent Way). It is a free presentation, however pre-registration is required to ensure tickets at http://sharedlearningconference.com/parent-conference/.