Offaly and Laois Parent Support Programme : simplebooklet.com

This series of Parenting Talks has been organised by Offaly County LibraryService and Laois County Library Service through support from Childrenand Young People’s Services Committees Laois Offaly (CYPSC).The Parent Support Programme is open to everyone including parents,caregivers, healthcare professionals, teachers, special needs assistantsand those working with children and young people. Subjects covered willinclude mental health, anxiety, nutrition, behaviour, transition to schooland more.The talks aim to give parents simple and practical strategies that will help them build strong, healthy relationships with their children and confidently manage their children’s behaviour. Attendance at all events is free of charge. For more information regarding events visit www.offaly.ie/libraries orwww.laois.ie/libraries, scan the QR code below or contact the brancheslisted on page 12 of this booklet. INTRODUCTIONOffaly LibrariesLaois Libraries

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Developmental PlayDr Joanna FortuneJoanna's area of speciality is how a playful approach toparenting can result in less tears and more laughter. Thisshould not be confused with making light of parenting,Joanna embraces the seriousness of play and the seriousimplications play has in our lives. In this talk she will talk usthrough the developmental stages of play and how tointegrate play into our parenting strategies to strengthenand enhance our connection with our children.Dr Joanna Fortune is an accredited psychotherapistspecialising in the parent-child relationship. She is a best-selling author and a regular media contributor to avariety of radio and TV shows.Offaly LibrariesThurs. 11 Sept. at 6.30pm - Tullamore LibrarythParent and Child YogaTina KennedyThis class will be fun-filled and accessible to all levels andno experience with yoga will be necessary. Bring yourlittle ones along and we will practice gentle movement;breath work; partner yoga and Tina will bring you througha lovely guided meditation to help you relax and relievestress and tension. This will be a safe, supportive andencouraging environment with lots of interaction and lotsof laughs and smiles too.Laois LibrariesTues 9 Sept at 4.30pm - Mountmellick LibrarythWed 29 Oct at 3.00pm- Portarlington LibrarythOffaly LibrariesSat 13 Sept at 11.00am - Clara LibrarythTues 16 Sept at 3.30pm - Ferbane Libraryth

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Wellbeing WorkshopIn today’s world of technology, this talk outlines forparents how to have happier homes, more confidentchildren. It explores, anxiety, resilience, boundaries,and how to thrive as a family.Richard Hogan is a systemically trained FamilyPsychotherapist. A best-selling author and weeklycolumnist for the Irish Examiner, he is also a regularcontributor on radio and tv shows where he offers hisexpertise and progressive strategies for better mentalhealth promotion.Richard HoganAnxiety, Technology and TeenagersDATE TBC - Portlaoise LibraryLaois LibrariesTues. 4 Oct. - Birr Library at 10.30amth - Elmgrove IPAS Centre at 12pm and 4pm (Residents Only)Offaly LibrariesSat. 20 Sept. at 1.30pm & 2.30pm -Montague IPAS Centre (Residents Only)thSat. 20 Sept. at 11am - Mountrath LibrarythUna is a wellbeing & creative arts therapist and formerprimary school teacher. Una’s workshops comprise ofart and crafts, yoga, breathing and mind gymexercises, storytelling, and story massage.Laois LibrariesUna Curran (Booking for Portlaoise Library through the QR code provided)

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Helen Vaughan is an accredited therapist, speaker &broadcaster who features regularly in the media onmental health topics on RTE, Today FM, Newstalk &others. During this session Helen will discuss the signs andsymptoms of Burnout for you and your family, andprovide 10 tips to reduce burnout and improvewellbeing. Dr Helen VaughanWed. 9 Oct. at 6pm - Portlaoise LibrarythLaois LibrariesBurnout – the signs &symptoms to look out for &what can we do about it. Wed 8 Oct at 6pm - Portarlington LibrarythLaois LibrariesWed 1 Oct at 6pm - Edenderry LibrarystOffaly LibrariesCaz Mooney is a mum of 3 who is passionate abouthelping people to reach their financial goals. In 2019,she and her family went on a financial journey, wherethey cleared their credit card, saved over €15,000 andby the end of that year, had the keys to their ownhome. Caz will be sharing easy tips on how to get started, the10 minute payday routine that will automate yourfinances, and the 7 easy steps to taking control ofyour finances.Caz Mooney7 Easy Steps to controlyour finances (Booking for Portlaoise Library is through the QR code provided)

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Milestones, delays, and how to help your child flourishJoin Dr. Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist, Author, andParent, for a warm and practical talk on supportingchildren aged 0–5. Learn about key milestones,developmental delays, early signs of neurodivergence,and how emotional regulation, secure attachment, and“good enough” parenting help little ones thrive. Maliewill also cover useful resources and support.Dr Malie CoyneFrom Birth to Five: WhatEvery Parent Should KnowAbout DevelopmentMon. 13 Oct. at 10am - Portlaoise Library. thFor IPAS Centre Residents OnlyLaois LibrariesCool Food SchoolDeirdre DoyleJoin Deirdre from the multi award winning The CoolFood School for a fun, interactive kids cooking class.There will be chopping and smelling and listening and tasting! All children will get to make their ownsimple recipe for apple donuts.Laois LibrariesSat. 11 Oct. at 10.30am - Stradbally LibrarythOffaly LibrariesSat. 18 Oct. at 11am - Birr Libraryth

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Laois LibrariesManaging Grief and Loss forYour ChildrenZumbini for Parents and Children 0-4 yrsSandra ApineZumbini is an early childhood education activity thatcombines music, dance, and play to promote cognitive,social, and motor skill development in young children. Join us for an active bonding experience for caregiversand their little ones.Zumbini for parents and children 0-4 yrs – BookingEssentialLaois LibrariesWed 15 Oct. at 10am - Stradbally LibrarythTues 21 Oct. at 10.30am - Mountrath LibrarystMelissa MooreGrief isn’t just about death — children can grieve many kindsof losses, from the passing of a loved one or pet, to movinghouse or changing schools. In this insightful talk, we’llexplore how grief shows up in children of different ages, howto recognise when they’re struggling, and how to supportthem in ways that are developmentally appropriate andemotionally safe. You’ll learn practical strategies to helpyour child express their feelings, how grief may impactbehaviour, sleep and school, and when to seek extrasupport. This talk will give you confidence in your ability towalk beside your child through their grief with empathy,language and understanding.Wed 15 Oct. at 6pm - Portarlington LibrarystThurs 20 Nov at 6pm - Tullamore LibrarythOffaly Libraries

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Offaly LibrariesThe Importance of SleepRoutines for ChildrenUrsula QuinnUrsula Quinn is a registered nurse, a certified gentlesleep consultant, and a holistic sleep coach, holding anOCN Level 4 qualification in Perinatal Mental Health.She will offer a talk to the residents of the IPAS Centrein Birr, on the importance of sleep routines for children.Her approach is empathetic, non-judgmental, andentirely family-centered, emphasizing that parents arethe experts on their own children. Her methods areevidence-based, holistic, and aim to maximise sleep forall of the familyThurs. 4 Sept. at 11am - Birr IPAS CentrethFor IPAS Centre Residence Only

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Laois LibrariesSupporting Anxious Childrenand TeensOffaly LibrariesThurs. 13 November at 6pm - Tullamore LibrarythAll children worry at times, but for some, it can be a realchallenge to manage their anxieties. As parents, whenyour child is anxious it can be difficult to know how best tosupport them. In this talk Mary explains how anxietyimpacts children and teen's brains and bodies and offersparents practical advice on how to support them duringdifficult times, helping them to manage their fears andfind the bravery we know they have within them.Dr Mary O’KaneFri 10 Oct at 11am - Edenderry LibrarythFri 24 Oct. at - Abbeyleix LibrarythOffaly LibrariesJoin Ruth Campion from thweonderyearsplay.com forsome messy plan sessions. These are an open endedand hands on/hands in approach to play! It engagestheir senses, supports cognitive development, helpswith language development, problem solving,improving their fine motor skills amongst being just afew of the many advantages of messy play. I wouldencourage you to bring a change of clothes for yourlittle one and possible a change for yourself! Ruth CampionMessy Play Sessions

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ACCESSING YOUR LIBRARY SERVICES ONLINEDownload eBooks, eAudiobooks and emagazines toyour device for free with Borrowbox at Offaly and LaoisLibrariesLearn a language for free with Transparent Language atOffaly and Laois Library. You will have unlimitedaccess to more than 110 languages, including Englishfor speakers of over 30 languages. Learn something new with over 400 courses available forfree on Universal Class at Offaly and Laois Libraries. TTRS is an accessible, multi-sensory online literacy coursethat teaches reading and spelling through touch-type atOffaly and Laois Libraries. Suitable for ages 7 to 107. Access thousands of e-comics and graphic novelswith Comicsplus! Enjoy popular brands and seriesfor all ages. Available at Offaly and Laois Libraries. LOTE Online for Kids allows children to enjoy themagic of books in World Languages from thecomfort of home. Each book is provided with anEnglish translation to help develop multilingualreading and listening skills. Available at Offaly andLaois Libraries.

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iVox is an interactive storybook app for children ages 4-8.Available at Offaly Libraries. LAOIS LIBRARIESACCESSING YOUR LIBRARY SERVICES ONLINEStream and download music for free with Freegal at OffalyLibrary. Busy Code by Busy Things is perfect for introducingprogramming concepts to young children step by step.Children can quickly create, run and debug simple programs.Available at Offaly Libraries. Who next...? is specifically designed to help parents,teachers and librarians in encouraging children and youngpeople to explore the world of reading. Available at OffalyLibraries. OFFALY LIBRARIES

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Abbeyleix Library: abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie or 057 8730020Durrow Library: durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie or 057 8736090Mountmellick Library: mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie or 057 8689382Mountrath Library: mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie or 057 8756378Portarlington Library: portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie or 057 8643751Portlaoise Library: portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie or 057 8622333Rathdowney Library: rathdowneylibrary@laoiscoco.ie or 0505 46852Stradbally Library: stradballylibrary@laoiscoco.ie or 057 8641673CONTACT USTo register for any of the events listed contactthe relevant branch below.Offaly Branch Library Contact DetailsBanagher Library: banagherlibrary@offalycoco.ie or 057 9151471Birr Library: birrlibrary@offalycoco.ie or 057 9124950Clara Library: claralibrary@offalycoco.ie or 057 9331389Daingean Library: daingeanlibrary@offalycoco.ie or 057 9353005Edenderry Library: edenderrylibrary@offalycoco.ie or 057 9731028Ferbane Library: ferbanelibrary@offalycoco.ie or 057 6454259Kilcormac Library: kilcormaclibrary@offalycoco.ie or 057 9135086Tullamore Library: tullamorelibrary@offalycoco.ie or 057 9346832Laois Branch Library Contact Details

Offaly and Laois Parent Support Programme

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