Parent Education and Professional Development
BREAKWATER'S PARENT EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OFFER INSPIRATION, INFORMATION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW AND EXPERIENCED PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS. BELOW ARE DESCRIPTIONS OF PAST WORKSHOPS OFFERED THROUGH OUR PARENT EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN ADDITION TO UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Upcoming Workshops and Panels
Stay tuned for future workshops and panels
Past Workshops and Panels 2020-2021
What Are We Learning When We Play? (May 2021)
Join us as we explore the powerful, entwined relationship between deep learning and play, work, and “messing about” (John Dewey). We’ll consider questions like: How are exploration, discovery, mistakes, and failure part of an optimal learning experience? What does it look, feel, and sound like in our studios, workshops, and classrooms when we’re supporting this kind of learning? Panelists include Jennifer Oxman Ryan, senior project manager and researcher on Project Zero’s Pedagogy of Play (PoP) initiative, Jake Ryan, Founder and Director of The Open Bench Project in Portland, Maine, Shaun Aylward, BWS K-8 Tinkering Essentialist and Enrichment Arts Teacher, Jennifer Emrich, BWS K-8 Art Essentialist and OWL Coordinator. Facilitator: Cheryl Hart
How Connecting to the Natural World Builds Your Child’s Superpowers (April 2021)
Why is it so important for kids to spend time outside? How does being outside affect kids’ learning and well-being? In our next virtual panel we will dive into these essential questions and provide ideas for enjoying nature with your child. Our panelists will use their knowledge and experience of working outside with youth to provide tips on how to further connect your child and family to the natural world. Panelists include Patrick "Fitz" Fitzgibbons, Science and Adventure Essentialist, and Ryan Jaret, LLBean Manager of Outdoor Discovery Programming.
Exploring the Breakwater Way (February 2021)
Breakwater has a way of doing things. A way that is enduring. A way that is unique and innovative. A way that is successful and creates a lasting impact. The way is guided by a clear mission, a learning community centered on relationships, and a defined instructional model based on best practice. Join us to hear a panel discussion on the "The Breakwater Way" and understand how the science behind the magic works.
The panel includes Breakwater Executive Director, David Sullivan, BWS Academic Director, Maggie Lyon, BWS 5/6 Teacher and Middle School Student Support Coordinator, Cheryl Hart, and BWS Preschool Teacher and EC Student Support Coordinator, Wendy Getchell.
Breakwater Way Presentation PDF
Talking With Children about Racism and Social Justice (January 2020)
Last August, Breakwater hosted three Conversations for Change: Listening and Learning in Service of Action, which focused on examining racism and anti-racist practices. During these interactive panel discussions we considered ways in which Breakwater could take transformative action to more fully realize both its mission and its commitment to becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community and institution.
Talking With Children about Racism and Social Justice, continues the work from our Conversations for Change summer series. To learn more click on the links below
External resources for further reading and learning
Because 7, 8, 9: What is Math Anxiety and Does My Child Have It? (November 2020)
I stink at math. I can't do it." Many of us have heard these or similar words come from the mouths of our children, but also from the mouths of adult friends, family members, or maybe even from our own mouths. Not only do many people of all ages believe that they can't do math well, but there is a social acceptability of being "bad" at math that we don't see with other core subjects, such as reading. Where does this come from? What is math anxiety and why do so many people seem to have it? And for parents and educators, how do we counteract and lessen it without accidentally reinforcing it? Why does it even matter? This panel discussion explores these questions, collaboratively provides suggestions about how to best manage any math anxiety we ourselves might feel, and how to best support our children in both the long term and short term. Panelists include Tom Fisher (Breakwater faculty member and business manager), Katie O'Toole (Breakwater faculty member), and Christine Linnehan (Breakwater alum parent and proprietor of Riverview Counseling).
Helpful External Resources (videos, articles, etc.)
Hey Sigmund: Links to articles about calming anxiety and resilience in children
Video about The Window of Tolerance
How to Help Kids With Math Anxiety
What to Do and Not Do When Children Are Anxious
How to Help Kids With Dyscalculia
General article about math anxiety with videos and links
Ring Around the Rosie: Supporting Children Through a Pandemic (October 2020)
Breakwater hosted its first virtual Parent and Professional Development program of the 2020-2021 school year on October 28th. The virtual program was entitled Ring Around the Rosie: Supporting Children During a Pandemic and was facilitated by Breakwater faculty member Cheryl Hart with faculty panelists Janine DiLorenzo and Jennifer Emrich in addition to Christine Linnehan, proprietor of Riverview Counseling.
This virtual panel discussion talked about how children and youth are experiencing the pandemic and how the adults in their lives can offer support. Children process their experiences in ways that are often different from adults, such as through play, and they may express their emotions and needs in subtle, and not so subtle, ways.
Helpful External Resources (videos, articles, etc.)
Talking to children about COVID-19
Resources for supporting children and teens
Fostering Resilience, powerpoint presentation from Christine Linnehan
Other Past Programs
Navigating Change:
An 8-week Program for Greater Health and Well-Being in partnership with Stanford University
Danielle Gorman, c-IAYT
CHANGE CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE
This embodied mindfulness training program combines movement, mindfulness, and confidential community connection to support life transitions and challenges. Steer through worry, anxiety, and stress with greater ease. Learn how to drop anchor in the midst of rough waters while raising and working with the young people in our lives.
This program is part of a national clinical evaluation for Stanford University's Psychiatry Department of Research on Veterans Affairs on the applied benefits of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy group programs to alleviate chronic mental and physical health issues
How to: DIY Toys That Inspire Curiosity Driven Learning
Josephine Roberts
Two part series for parents and teachers curious about making their own toys for the home or classroom. Workshops explore a handful of simple techniques using a variety of easy-to-find toy making materials. Participants will craft some toys to take home and explore a handful of kid-tested activities designed to inspire play-based, curiosity-driven learning.
Part 1 focuses on making Story Stones and how to successfully engage with children around the stones various creative and educational uses, including child-driven literacy and numeracy activities.
Part 2 makes Felt Food & Friends with easy to master felting techniques and looks at extensions that include children in felting while practicing motor and executive function skills. (Date TBD)
(not) Running with Scissors - Letting Your Child Use Real Tools Safely
Shawn Aylward
Injury prevention plays a key role in keeping children safe, but emerging research suggests that imposing too many restrictions on children’s explorations hinders their development. The maker’s movement has inspired attention to the benefits in allowing children opportunities to use real tools and materials to explore, discover and create. Breakwater’s tinkering teacher will share his expert experience balancing the priorities of risky opportunities and children’s safety for optimal child development. A multiage student group will be on hand to model tool use and protocols!
Practical tips and hands-on experiences to help participants
briefly discuss about what is "ok dangerous" and what is irresponsibly or inappropriately dangerous.
better understand the benefits of allowing children to do risky things.
gain some practical language and skills to help their children or students judge the safety of different situations on their own; be aware of and handle their own bodies in space; create and enter contractual agreements with children around safety and safe use of tools.
use some of the tools themselves that children are using at Breakwater.
Other past classes:
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