GH-Parent Workshop Blog

We have started a new blog specifically for Parent Workshop discussions. You can find it at www.ghparentworkshops.blogspot.com. Beth Melampy, Gretchen's House Director of Curriculum, will be blogging about topics related to workshops, as well as answering follow-up questions to GH Parent Workshops. The blog also lists upcoming parent workshop events.

Check it out!

Play Symposium: March 29, 9 am-1pm

In cooperation with the Rudolph Steiner School and the Alliance for Childhood, Gretchen's House would like to invite parents and community members to participate in an educational symposium on the importance of play. This event focuses on the fact that open-ended, free play is disappearing from our children's lives. We'll show the PBS documentary, "Where Do The Children Play?", followed by a panel and discussion on the barriers to open-ended play. After lunch, we'll conduct a variety of active workshops for adults and adults with kids.

Read more information by clicking this link: Play Symposium Details

You may register by completing this form and mailing it to the Rudolph Steiner school at the address on the form. Please note that we cannot guarantee childcare or lunch for people who register the day of the event. More detailed menu information will be available following registration.

Further reading/listening on the importance of play:

• Old-Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills: an NPR piece by Alex Spiegel
• Taking Play Seriously: an article in the New York Times Magazine by Robin Marantz Henig (you may need to register to read this one)

We hope to see you there!

-- Admin

Winter Parent Workshops

Child development expert and GH Director of Curriculum Beth MeLampy is conducting a series of parenting workshops for Gretchen's House this winter. Parents need to sign up in advance with LoisAnn Arnold.

Topics include:

• January 30th: Encouraging Cooperation
• February 13: Alternatives to Punishment and Problem Solving
• March 5: Encouraging Autonomy

Spaces are filling fast, so if you're interested in participating, don't delay!

-- Admin