Offaly and Laois Parent Support Programme : simplebooklet.com

IntroductionThis series of Parenting Talks has been organised by Offaly CountyLibrary Service and Laois County Library Service through support fromChildren and 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.It aims 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 15 of this booklet. Laois LibrariesOffalyLibraries

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Weds 28th Aug at 6.30pm, Portarlington Library Mon 2nd Sept at 7pm, Rathdowney LibraryWeds 4th Sept at 6.30pm, Portlaoise Library Tues 3rd Sept at 6.30pm, Tullamore Library Weds 4th Sept at 6.30pm, Birr Library Fri 6th Sept at 10.30am, Edenderry Library Thurs 12th Sept at 11:00am, Tullamore LibrarySat 21st Sept at 11:00am, Edenderry LibraryThurs 3rd Oct at 11:00am, Birr Library Messy play is a hands-on activity that allows children to explore, create,and express themselves through sensory rich experiences. Messy playcan help support language development, encourage social interaction,and promote problem solving. Old clothes recommended!Transitioning from Pre-school to Primary SchoolNational Parents CouncilThe early years transition training programmehas been developed to allow parents to support theirchildren when they make the transition from pre-school to primary school. The transition trainingincorporates practical strategies and resources forparents to implement at home.Messy PlayOffaly LibrariesLaois Libraries: Offaly Libraries:Offaly Libraries:(Booking for Portlaoise Library through the QR code provided)See page 15 for contact details to book a placeSee page 15 for contact details to book a place

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Thurs 12th Sept at 6.30pm Portlaoise Library Wellbeing WorkshopFree Play and RiskDr Mary O’KaneWe know that our teenagers are more lonely, anxious and depressed thanever before. We don’t fully understand all the reasons for this, but wethink it starts in younger years. Changes in parenting, attitudes towardsrisk and safety, and limited opportunities for free play may well play apart. In our culture today, children are often deprived of freedom forexploration and risk taking. Yet, we know that free play is the primary wayin which children become emotionally resilient. In this session Maryexplores how we can step back and re-frame risk!Sat 14th Sept at 10.30am, Birr Library Offaly Libraries:Una is a wellbeing & creative arts therapist and former primary schoolteacher. Una’s workshops comprise of art and crafts, yoga, breathing andmind gym exercises, storytelling, and story massage.Sat 28th Sept at 10.30am, Abbeyleix LibrarySat 28th Sept at 11.45am, Abbeyleix LibraryLaois Libraries:Una CurranLaois Libraries:Booking through the QR code providedSee page 15 for contact details to book a place

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Toddler TalkParent/Child YogaTalking BuddiesLaois Libraries: Tues 17th Sept at 6.30pm, Mountmellick LibraryJoin Tina for a family friendly parent and child yoga class. This class will befun-filled and accessible to all levels and no experience with yoga will benecessary. Bring your little ones along and we will practice gentlemovement; breath work; partner yoga and Tina will bring you through alovely guided meditation to help you relax and relieve stress and tension.Offaly Libraries:Weds 16th Oct at 6.30pm,Edenderry LibraryTalking Buddies’ Toddler Talk is designed for parents of toddlers aged 15months to 3.5 years. It is developed by Laura Lalor, Senior Speech andLanguage Therapist with 11+ years’ experience and mother of two youngchildren. Toddler Talk includes evidence-based strategies that are easy toincorporate into your everyday routines. Laois Libraries: Thurs 19th Sept at 6pm, Abbeyleix LibraryOffaly Libraries:Tues 8th Oct at 10.30am, Birr LibraryTues 10th September 10:30am Clara LibraryTues 3rd Dec at 10.30am, Edenderry Library Thurs 3rd Oct at 6pm, Mountrath Library Thurs 21st Nov at 6.30pm, Portlaoise LibraryTina Kennedy (Booking for Portlaoise Library through the QR code provided)See page 15 for contact details to book a placeSee page 15 for contact details and to book a place

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Childcare SupportsAvailable in LaoisLaois County Childcare Committee Muriel from the Laois County Childcare Committee will deliver a talk on arange of supports available for parents in Co. Laois, including:Childcare options and the types of services availableGovernment Funding schemes available to parents regardingchildcare Parent and Toddler Groups AIM information for parentsFirst 5 information for parentsLaois Libraries:Thurs, 17th Oct at 6:30pm, Portlaoise LibrarySensory Music Class Ready Steady PlayYour little one will be introduced to sensory development activities.Together you will explore the basic concepts of music, melody, pitch,rhythm, and beat while building a repertoire of joyful songs. Laois Libraries:Tues, 22nd Oct at 11.30am, Mountmellick LibraryOffaly Libraries:Tues, 29th Oct at 11.30am, Clara Library

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Play Sing MoveHelping a Child who WorriesDr. Helen VaughanTalking BuddiesHelen Vaughan is an accredited therapist, speaker & broadcaster whofeatures regularly in the media on mental health topics on RTE, Today FM,Newstalk & others. This one-hour workshop will feature discussions on the tell-tale signs of aworried child, how to talk to your child about big feelings & anxiety andpractical skills on learning to cope with stress (and not avoid it).Offaly Libraries:Weds 25th Sept at 6.30pm, Edenderry LibraryPlay. Sing. Move is Nursery Rhyme group developed by Speech andLanguage therapists at Talking Buddies. The 3 one-hour weekly sessionsare designed to support speech, language, and communication skills. Thesessions will use music, repetitive and predictable words, actions andgestures to help your child understand. Movement and singing helps tokeep your child’s attention. Laois Libraries: Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd Oct at 10.30amOffaly Libraries:Fridays 11th ,18th & 25th Oct at 10.30am Durrow LibraryTullamore LibrarySee page 15 for contact details to book a placeSee page 15 for contact details to book a place

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Supporting your Stressed orEmotional TeenagerDr. Helen VaughanUnderstanding Teen Dating Violence.Helen Vaughan is an accredited therapist, speaker & broadcaster whofeatures regularly in the media on mental health topics on RTE, Today FM,Newstalk & others. This one-hour workshop will discuss: Understanding teen development ,How to parent adolescents & the shift needed from child to teen, Howanxiety impacts our young people & supporting them andTeen issues: secondary school, bullying, social anxiety & boosting resilienceThurs 10th Oct at 6.30pm, Mountrath LibraryThis talk, delivered by Anne Clarke from ODVSS, will provide valuableinformation on domestic abuse in teen relationships parents will beequipped to discuss coercion and consent with their teenagers, to givethem the skills to be assertive in their relationships and to identify red flagssuch as controlling behaviour.Offaly Libraries:Offaly DomesticViolence SupportServicesTues 15th of Oct at 6:30pm, Tullamore LibraryLaois Libraries:See page 15 for contact details to book a placeSee page 15 for contact details to book a place

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Perfectly Imperfect ParentingOffaly Libraries:Thurs 24th Oct at 6:30pm, Tullamore LibraryDr Mary O’KaneParenting is often seen as the most high-stakes job of our lives, and many ofus seek perfection in the role. But to be the best parent we can be meansbeing human. While we should be caring and empathetic, we do not have tobe faultless. In this talk, Mary discusses why our flaws are necessary forindependent development to take place and outlines why a picture-perfectparenting style does not produce the results we are aiming for. Instead, sheexplains why we should aim for connection instead of perfection. Family Fake-AwaySessionHey PestoYvonne loves holding Children’s cookery camps to encourage fun in thekitchen and an understanding of the importance of eating well. Yvonne ispassionate about healthy family cooking on a budget, her sessions willteach you step by step how to create healthier, cheaper versions of yourfavourite take away meals.Offaly Libraries:Weds 30th Oct at 11:30am, Tullamore LibraryLaois Libraries:Thurs 31st Oct at 11:30am, Portlaoise Library(Booking for Portlaoise Library through the QR code provided)See page 15 for contact details to book a placeSee page 15 for contact details to book a place

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Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency (DESSA)DESSA is a national community development organisation working tosupport the full and equal participation of disabled people in Irish societyby creating inclusive and non-disabling communities. Alice Griffin from DESSA will give a talk entitled Effective Advocacy – 10Steps to getting what you need for your child. At 6pmEffective Advocacy - 10Steps to Getting what youneed for your ChildDESSAWeds 30th Oct at 6pm, Edenderry Library Offaly Libraries:Art Therapy Katie O’Donoghue This parent and child workshop is a combination of story telling andtherapeutic creative activities that focus on supporting children withchallenges such as worry, confidence boosting, empathy and emotionalintelligence. Each workshop is inspired by one of Katie’s children'sbooks, The Little Squirrel Who Worried, The Little Otter Who Tried, andThe Little Lamb Who Led. Katie is an Art Psychotherapist, accredited by the Irish Association ofCreative Arts Therapists (IACAT) Laois Libraries:Fri 1st Nov at 12pm, Portarlington Library Offaly Libraries:Fri 1st Nov at 3pm, Banagher Library See page 15 for contact details to book a placeSee page 15 for contact details to book a place

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Tues, 5th Nov at 10.30am, Tullamore LibraryLook Who’s Talking BabyOffaly Libraries:Talking BuddiesTalking Buddies’ Look Who’s Talking Course is designed for parents ofbabies aged 0-15 months. It is developed by Laura Lalor, Senior Speechand Language Therapist with 11+ years’ experience and mother of twoyoung children. There are lots of simple strategies and tips that you cando in your baby’s first year of life to lay those all-important foundationskills for speech, language and communication development. Managing theTerrible Twos (at any age)Patricia McLoughlinPatricia McLoughlin is a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner in ChildHealth and Development. This presentation will discuss healthy parentand child interaction and cover positive parenting strategies that will helpyour child reach their full potential. Learn practical tips to manage fussyeating, temper tantrums, poor sleep, clinginess, and children who arealways on the go. Offaly Libraries:Tuesday, 3rd December at 18:30, Tullamore Library

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Edenderry Library Early Years Music Workshops At 6pmMusic Generation Laois and Music Generation Offaly will host a series ofEarly Years Music Workshops catering for age 0-7 and their parents.These fun, interactive workshops will include a variety of singing, musicalgames, use of hand-held percussion instruments and child-friendlyprops.Music Generation LaoisMusic Generation OffalyLaois Libraries:Offaly Libraries:Sat 9th Nov at 11am, Birr LibrarySat 16th Nov at 11am, Banagher LibrarySat 23rd Nov at 11am, Tullamore LibrarySat 9th Nov at 11am, Portlaoise LibrarySat 16th Nov at 11am, Stradbally LibrarySat 23rd Nov at 11am, Abbeyleix LibrarySee page 15 for contact details to book a place

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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 unlimited accessto more than 110 languages, including English forspeakers of over 30 languages. Access thousands of e-comics and graphic novels withComicsplus! Enjoy popular brands and series for allages. Available at Offaly Libraries. Stream and download music for free with Freegal atOffaly Library. for adultLearn something new with over 400 courses available for freeon Universal Class at Offaly and Laois Libraries. TTRS is an accessible, multi-sensory online literacy course thatteaches reading and spelling through touch-type at Offaly andLaois Libraries. Suitable for ages 7 to 107.

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Accessing your Library Services OnlineLaois LibrariesOffalyLibrariesLOTE Online for Kids allows children to enjoy the magicof books in World Languages from the comfort ofhome. Each book is provided with an Englishtranslation to help develop multilingual reading andlistening skills. Available at Offaly and Laois Libraries. Busy Code by Busy Things is perfect for introducing programmingconcepts to young children step by step. Children can quicklycreate, run and debug simple programs. Available at OffalyLibraries. Who next...? is specifically designed to help parents, teachersand librarians in encouraging children and young people toexplore the world of reading. Available at Offaly Libraries. iVox is an interactive storybook app for children ages 4-8.Available at Offaly Libraries.

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Banagher 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 DetailsAbbeyleix 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 8641673Offaly Branch Library Contact DetailsTo register for any of the events listed contactthe relevant branch below.

Offaly and Laois Parent Support Programme

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