Parent Education Classes Offer Insight, Understanding on Childrearing Issues

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

The Pleasanton Unified School District is one of the top-rated in all of California. Children attending schools here receive a great education. Now, with parenting classes offered by Amador Valley Adult and Community Education, the Pleasanton Schools have something to offer parents, too.

Classes cover a wide variety of topics and are offered at low or no cost. Here's a sampling of current offerings:

Workshops:
"Now is the Time" Tax-Free College-Bound Funding This seminar focuses on new IRS 529 plans which allow for tax-free college fund investing, including a step-by-step explanation of the tax and estate planning benefits of the 529 plan. Amador High School Library, Wednesday, April 5, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, free.

1, 2, 3 Magic: Discipline for Children Ages 3-10 Based on the work of clinical psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Thomas Phelan, this class includes video presentations and handouts that teach techniques to control obnoxious behavior and encourage good behavior. Harvest Park Middle School, room A-2, Tuesday, March 21, 6:30 - 8:30 pm and Amador High School Library, Saturday, April 8, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, free.

Adolescent Behavior This class, taught in both English and Spanish, describes characteristics of teen behavior and how parents can assist their own teens through this stage. Valley View Elementary School Library, Thursday, April 13, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, free.

Building Your Family's Financial Safety Net For Growing Families. A growing family has unique financial needs. This workshop shows how to make sure that your family is protected and financially secure. Hearst Elementary Exploration Room (B28), Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, free.

Handling Sibling Rivalry This class teaches parents how to recognize the difference between sibling rivalry and sibling conflict, how to correct the behavior, and how to bring harmony to their relationships with their children. Harvest Park Middle School, Room A2, Wednesday, April 26, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, free.

It's Never Too Soon to Talk to Your Children About Sex! Parents of children in third through eighth grades are invited to this workshop. Topics include the impact of media on children's self-esteem and body image; how to talk with children about sex; when to begin the discussion; and the importance of ongoing dialogue and self-esteem building during a child's pre-teen and teen years. Harvest Park Middle School, Multipurpose Room, Wednesday, May 3, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, free.

Classes
Baby Sign Language Did you know that babies can communicate using simple hand gestures to say such things as "eat," "more," "milk," or "change," to replace whining and crying? This six-week class for adults and their hearing children ages seven to 18 months teaches Basic American Sign Language that parents and other adults can use to communicate. Recent studies even indicate that signing promotes stronger bonding between parents and children, increases interest in books, and learning to speak at an earlier age. Horizon High School, Room 801, Tuesdays from February 28 through April 4, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, $20 per person including book or $30 per couple sharing book.

Parent Project: Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior This is an 11-week interactive class that provides parents tools to effectively deal with destructive behaviors in their teen. The class will help parents with answers to difficult questions, learn solutions, receive emotional and practical support, create an action plan and experience success in improving their teen's school attendance and performance. Pleasanton Police Department, Mondays from March 6 through May 22 except April 17, 6:00 - 9:00 pm, $145.

Other topics for classes and workshops include Preparing for Kindergarten, Redirecting Children's Behavior, Single Parenting: You are Not Alone, Stop Using Coercion and Do Something that Really Works, The Strong-Willed Child, Too Stressed to Think? How to Parent Effectively Even When Your Teens and Pre-Teens Drive You Crazy, Understanding Our Sons, Using Flashcards to Teach Math to Your Kids, and You Just Don't Understand: Improving Couples' Communication.

To register for any of these workshops or classes or to obtain more information, access www.pleasanton.k12.ca.us, click on "Educational Services," then click on "Adult Education." Information is also available by calling (925) 426-4280.

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