2008 Woodie Awards
New Program is a Community Resource
The child development department is starting a new infant-and-toddler training program to help Valley students.
Tiffany Farmakis
Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: News
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The child development department received a grant from the Vocational Education and Training Authority to start a parenting program for students with babies.
The program, called "Parent and Me," is for students who have babies and potential community infant care providers. Sessions will occur once a week for eight weeks initially and then will be extended to 12 weeks in the spring. All sessions will be developed and presented by a child development specialist and will include activities and discussions that not only strengthen parental abilities but encourage tighter bonds between parents and their children.
"We have a lot of students who have babies," said Marni Roosevelt, child development project director. "They're juggling a lot of balls; most of them are working, going to school and are new moms and dads."
According to Child Development Department Chair Lauren Okayama, the program will start with babies up to 6 months but will expand to include toddlers up to 18 months next spring.
There will be one group this semester focusing on infants (pre-walking). However, by spring 2005 there will be two separate groups: one focusing on infants and the other for young toddlers up to 18 months. Each session will accommodate from 8-10 parents.
Sessions will be scheduled during the day and will be provided free of charge. Evening workshops on infant- and- toddler development will also be available to participants and child development students.
"This program has a dual purpose: to help students with babies and also to train child development students," said Okayama. "It's a very innovative program."
Each session will include three- to- four student interns who will be working; however, Roosevelt and Okayama predict that number will double in the spring due to the high demand for child development classes.
In addition to their internship, students will be placed in a community school after completing the program and will receive a stipend and study credits, according to Roosevelt.
"This goes beyond regular class work," she said. "[These students] will be hearing the discussions, but they'll also have a chance to interact with the babies and toddlers."
The program, called "Parent and Me," is for students who have babies and potential community infant care providers. Sessions will occur once a week for eight weeks initially and then will be extended to 12 weeks in the spring. All sessions will be developed and presented by a child development specialist and will include activities and discussions that not only strengthen parental abilities but encourage tighter bonds between parents and their children.
"We have a lot of students who have babies," said Marni Roosevelt, child development project director. "They're juggling a lot of balls; most of them are working, going to school and are new moms and dads."
 Media Credit: Sevan Ghazaryan PROGRAM WITH STUDENTS IN MIND - The Child Development Department has received a grant from the Vocational Education and Training Authority to start a parenting program aimed towards student-parents. |
According to Child Development Department Chair Lauren Okayama, the program will start with babies up to 6 months but will expand to include toddlers up to 18 months next spring.
There will be one group this semester focusing on infants (pre-walking). However, by spring 2005 there will be two separate groups: one focusing on infants and the other for young toddlers up to 18 months. Each session will accommodate from 8-10 parents.
Sessions will be scheduled during the day and will be provided free of charge. Evening workshops on infant- and- toddler development will also be available to participants and child development students.
"This program has a dual purpose: to help students with babies and also to train child development students," said Okayama. "It's a very innovative program."
Each session will include three- to- four student interns who will be working; however, Roosevelt and Okayama predict that number will double in the spring due to the high demand for child development classes.
In addition to their internship, students will be placed in a community school after completing the program and will receive a stipend and study credits, according to Roosevelt.
"This goes beyond regular class work," she said. "[These students] will be hearing the discussions, but they'll also have a chance to interact with the babies and toddlers."
