First published in the May 5 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
Registration for La Cañada Presbyterian Church’s parent education program will begin May 11. Entering its 44th year, the program offers 16 daytime classes, as well as evening Parent Express classes for parents and grandparents of children up to 18 years old, providing practical parenting skills, resources, and a supportive community.
Daytime classes meet weekly September through May and evening classes meet in four-week sessions throughout the year.
Parents of newborns through age 5 attend joint parent-and-child classes.
“Babies and Spring Infants” classes focus on the first-year challenges of eating, sleeping and changing family dynamics, while “Toddler and 2-Year-Old” classes add discussions on discipline, potty training and nurturing the whole child.
“Parenting 3- and 4-Year-Olds” classes focus on kindergarten prep, nurturing the whole child and developing self-regulation. The “Family Class” allows parents to bring all children from newborns to 5 years old and discusses raising young children and family dynamics as well as creating peaceful, faith-filled homes.
Parents with school-aged children can attend “Parent Only” classes to discuss the unique challenges that accompany raising elementary, tween and teen children. The “Parents of Elementary Kids” class is for parents of children in K-4th grade focuses on children’s development, learning, behavior and relationships.
The “Parents of Tweens” class features large and small group discussion relating to pre-adolescent issues such as peer relationships, family communication, puberty and managing technology.
“Parents of High Schoolers” is a class focusing on understanding the adolescent brain, technology, dating and relationships, post-high school options including college preparation, and learning to “let go.”
“Parenting through Learning Differences” provides support and resources for parents of school-aged children with ADHD, ASD, weak processing skills, dyslexia or other learning differences.
“Spiritual Parenting” provides resources to foster spiritual growth and development for both the parent and their family. The “Grandparenting” class provides support and resources for grandparents with grandchildren of any age, living locally or away to support them on their grandparenting journey.
The “Parent Express” program is four weeks of evening classes offered several times throughout the year designed to accommodate working parents. Each series focuses on a particular topic or age range with relevant material presented.
Also, the “Summer Family” class is currently open for registration. This four-week class will be co-taught by experienced educators Sloan Walsh and Katy Riddell. Each of them brings a wealth of experience, both as teachers and as mothers of three. The summer class is offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. from May 25/26 until June 15/16.
Created with the whole family in mind, this summer’s class for parents and their children, from newborns to 5 years old, will focus on Laura Markham’s book “Happy Parents, Happy Kids.” For the children, there will be fun themes and creative outdoor play. The class costs $80, plus a $20 registration fee with a sibling discount automatically applied.
For more information about any of the classes or to register, visit lacanadapc.org/parented or call (818) 790-6758 ext. 205.
