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.
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.
Supporting your child's learning in the home
Tuesday 1 October, 10am - 11am
Join us as we discuss how you can support your child’s development within the home learning environment. During this Family Connect, we will explain what the home learning environment is and why it is so important. We will also share ideas about how you can use everyday objects and experiences to enhance your child’s learning.
Exploring schemas
Tuesday 15 October, 1pm - 2pm
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.
Building resilient children
Friday 25 October, 10am - 11am
Would you like to delve into the significance of resilience in children and explore how, as families, we can contribute to its development?
Join us for this session, where we will explore the concept of resilience, its developmental aspects in children, and practical strategies to support their resilience-building journey.
Supporting children's emotional wellbeing
Thursday 31 October, 10am - 11am
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.
The importance of play
Wednesday 13 November, 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Children learn by exploring the world around them through their play. Play offers opportunities for children to try new skills as well as develop existing ones. Join us for this session where we will consider why play is so important and explore how you can support your child’s play in the home.
Process over product
Monday 2 December, 1pm - 2pm
Children learn through play, but they learn best through the kind of play that allows them to explore and experiment, where ‘it's not about the destination, but the glory of the ride’. Join us for this Family Connect session where we will explore ways to let children's imaginations run wild, using free and found resources from around the home.
Songs, stories & rhymes - supporting early communication
Tuesday 10 December, 10am - 11am
“Knowing more words, makes you smarter!” In this session we explore the importance of speech and language development and how you can support your children’s early communication.
Join us to explore why communication and language development is so important in the early years, and how you can encourage this at home with songs, stories and rhymes packed with lots of information, ideas, and tips!
Building babies brains
Tuesday 17 December, 6pm - 7pm
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.
Free resources for families
