Parents taking part in an ice breaker activity.
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From left: Charmaine George, Shereese Timber and Christina Timber-Glover speaking at the Parents Symposium.
~ Informative event was well received ~
ST. EUSTATIUS--The first parents symposium was held at the Mike van Putten Youth Centre/Lion’s Den, on Monday, April 26. Christina Timber-Glover from the organising committee said the event was very successful. “The event was well attended, and we were extremely happy for the last-minute sign-ups as well,” she said.
A moment of silence was held at the beginning of the symposium for Militza Connell-Maduro who was a member of the St. Eustatius Parent Support Group for over 11 years. Karin Paris, a parent and teacher at the Buzzy Bees Inn Day Care said the prayer for good proceedings of the day.
New Pedagogical advisor at the Women’s Social Support, Monica Smith spoke on behalf of Deputy Government Commissioner Alida Francis and Director of the Social Domain Carol Jack Roosberg. Smith gave an inspiring address where she encouraged parents, guardians and caretakers to “get on board.”
“Too many times I have heard our children have behavioural problems, are easily distracted, are rude, do not show up or have respect and they need help and guidance…etc.,” Smith said. Most times, she said the blame is put on the child’s homelife and how children are raising themselves through their devices and how the parent-child relationship somehow ceases to exist, or the roles are turned around.
She pondered why there is so much chaos and doubt when it comes to parenting. “In today’s world, where technology has put the research information at our fingertips, why do we not know how to be better parents? Shouldn’t we have a better relationship and understanding between parent and child and have happier, healthier, better functioning children?” Smith asked. “In reality,” she added, “this has proven easier said than done.”
The answer according to research, Smith stated, has one fundamental characteristic and that is education, and generally speaking, the more education the better for parenting. She said that parents who know more will strive to do better and work hard to improve their parenting skills. “So, if you want our children to be the best that they can be, then we must get on board,” Smith said, “Be their example, be the best that we can be in our roles as parents.”
The good news, Smith said, is that parenting skills can be taught, trained and learned. “Partaking in events such as this one produces better outcomes, not only for the parent-child relationship but for the parent, teacher and child relationship and this means better families, which equals better communities,” Smith said. She ended by encouraging again that parents get on board and enjoy the ride.
Parents were very engaged with activities and discussions throughout the event. “Building a strong literacy foundation” was the first session and offered parents lots of skills and activities to build and reinforce strength in reading and writing. Parents were also shown the importance of these activities and how they are streamed right up to secondary school and beyond.
An “effective communication” session was done by Charmaine George – sparking lots of discussions, debates and questions, as parents were challenged to look at themselves and try other methods to communicate with children in today’s society.
Acting head of the Division for Educational Innovation within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport on St. Maarten, Oralie Boirard gave a presentation on “parental involvement”, a key element of the symposium.
The “buddy up parent” programme was introduced, and parents were encouraged to get actively involved, as a buddy parent can be a good source of support. The St. Eustatius Parent Support Group made a presentation informing parents on how this group has been a support for the past 11 years.
Parents were also supported with a good structural way on how to prepare when you have a meeting with a teacher.
The active parenting of teens training was introduced where interested persons could sign up to follow the six-session, 12-hour training which will kick off in May. Parents had the opportunity to receive games and educational books sponsored by local telecommunication company Eutel. The feedback from participants was “amazing and constructive,” Timber-Glover said. One Parent said, “I loved every bit of it and will be attending the next one for sure.”
