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Children, Families & Seniors

University of Illinois Extension Family Life programs and materials enhance family life by teaching:

  • Child Development/How Children Learn
  • Positive Parenting/ Healthy Relationship Skills/Social & Emotional Learning
  • Best Caregiving Practices for Children and for Seniors
  • Intentional Harmony: Managing Work & Life
  • Home and Community Education

Through single workshops, a series of classes, or newsletters, brochures, and fact sheets to read at your convenience or online. We are also on WICD 15 "Today's Family" segment at 6:45 am Thursday mornings!

Train the trainer classes are also available for Home and Community Education groups, program coordinators, and community leaders. Contact Angela Reinhart at areinhrt@uiuc.edu or call 333-7672 to request resources or schedule a class for your group/organization.

Child Development/How Children Learn

Your Young Child *(Revised in December 2006!)

Raising young children stresses even the most seasoned parents! Increase your understanding of normal developmental stages during the first three years of life that research shows put children most at risk for child abuse. Schedule a class or request the English or Spanish brochures.

1. What To Do When Baby Cries
2. When Will Baby Sleep All Night?
3. Learning to Say Goodbye
4. Toddlers Exploring the World
5. When All You Hear is "No!"
6. What Will We Eat Today?
7. Toilet Teaching: The First Steps

Nibbles

Need something short and easy-to-read on a "timely" developmental issue facing your preschooler? University of Illinois Extension Family life educators have created just what you need! Subscribe through the local Extension office or view them online at www.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/

Positive Parenting/Developing Healthy Relationships/ Social & Emotional Learning

Parenting the First, Second, and Third Year Newsletters

Want to know how children develop physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually during the first three years of life? Then don't miss these newsletters written by national Extension educators on a month by month basis. Call 333-7672 for more information.

Parenting Counts

These colorful brochures and fact sheets, written by Talaris Research, teach the steps of emotion coaching and help parents understand tough issues like how to deal with tantrums, angry feelings, and how and when to negotiate with kids. Information is also available on how to get in tune with infants and toddlers, prevent emotional meltdowns, and teach by example. See www.pbs.org/parents/earlylearning for more information or call 333-7672.

Connecting with Kids

Want information about children ages 5 - 10? This newsletter, written by the University of Illinois family life team for parents, teachers, and grandparents about children in grades K - 4 is timely! See all the issues at www.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign or click on the Parenting 24/7 website link.

Terrific Teachable Moments

These award-winning resources, written by University of Illinois Extension educators, teach character development through every day moments. Level 1 is for educators and caregivers of children from pre-school to second grade. Level 2 is for the third to sixth grade levels. Each booklet is a set of 75 activities with short (about 10 minute) hands - on, minds - on activities or mini lessons to reinforce and encourage children to make positive character choices. Illinois Learning Standards are identified for each lesson. The activities are categorized using the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship as identified by the Josephson Institute of Ethics.

Parenting Again

Need practical tips on helping your grandchildren succeed in school and life? Want supportive resources to help you take care of your own health? See http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/grandparents/

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Need timely brochures/advice on raising a grandchildren? Available as individual brochures or a set of brochures, topics include:

  • When a Child has Experienced Neglect or Abuse
  • Communication Is Important
  • Child Care Issues
  • Emotional Ups and Downs
  • Helping your Grandchild Do Well in School
  • Making Time for You
  • Teaching Money Skills
  • No More Fights About Food!
  • Setting Limits
  • Choosing a Parenting Style
  • The Teenage Years!

Request your free copy today from our office or order packets in bulk for your group or organization's resource rack from the University of Illinois website catalog at https://pubsplus.uiuc.edu

Best Caregiving Practices for Children and Seniors

Better Kid Care Series (new topics each year)

Penn State Cooperative Extension's satellite workshops feature timely topics for adults caring for children in a center or family child care home. Workshop handouts are available by request. Can't make it to a class? View videos online at http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/or borrow the video tape/DVDfrom the Extension office.

Foundations of Family Child Care

Are you a newly licensed child care provider? Are you considering it but don't know all the details necessary to starting a child care business in your home? Then this class is for you. Classes are taught in a variety of formats totaling 15 classroom hours. See the family life calendar for scheduled dates. Topics include: Setting Up Your Home, Health and Safety, Child Development and Discipline, Policies, Contracts, Taxes, Insurance, Communicating with Parents, and accessing available resources.

Caregiving & Relationships

Need help meeting your informational needs as you care for your elderly, disabled or chronically ill parent, relative, or friend? You are not alone! The National Family Caregivers Association 2000 survey found 54 million Americans were caregivers, often with responsibilities of caring for children at home as well. This series of brochures helps you make sense of your:

  • Mixed Emotions
  • Relationships
  • Loss and Grief, and help you understand:
  • Speaking Clearly - Listeing Carefully
  • Caregivers Need Care,Too
  • Maneuvering Through the Maze of Social Service Professionals

Materials may be duplicated to use with your group. Contact us for information on how to order your set today!

Intentional Harmony: Managing Work & Life

Intentional Harmony is designed to meet the needs of all individuals - single or coupled - parents or not - who are employed and who struggle to create harmony in the contexts of work and personal life. The curriculum has a flexible, dynamic format to address concerns about:

  • Work and the personal well-being
  • Work and your relationship with your partner
  • Work and parenting
  • Work and stress
  • Work and your relationship with extended family and friends

Call 333-7672 for more information.

Home and Community Education

Meeting as train - the - trainer sessions most months from August - March, attendees then take the lessons back to their groups to teach others. Attend these classes or request your copies of lesson handouts today. *All classes are also available for any group or organization to request as a featured topic. Call 333-7672 or email areinhrt@uiuc.edu to schedule for your group today! New topics are added yearly. Below are some of the most recent.

Blues, Blahs, and Bouncing Back (*New in 2007/08!)

Everyone goes through times when they might feel down or blue, but what can we do about it? This lesson will cover the difference between regular "blues" versus depression, techniques for bouncing back, and insights on helping others.

Finding Your "Get Up and Go" (*New in 2007/08!)

Sometimes it's just hard to "get going". This lesson introduces strategies for getting motivated and taking action. It covers optimism, attitude, social involvement, and positive outlook.

Violence Across the Lifespan: Who It Affects and How You Can Help (*New in 2007/08!)

Interpersonal violence touches many lives: young children as victims or spectators of violence; teens in dating relationships; adult relationships, and elder abuse. Learn some of the dynamics of violent relationships,coping strategies, and intervention techniques. Learn how to reach out for help/point others towards help.

Retirement Realities (2006/07)

Science medical Technology and improved lifestyle habits are adding new years to our lives. Many of us may be retired for almost 1/3 of our adult lives. This lesson covers the changes in lifestyle and relationships that occur after retirement and provide some ideas for charting a plan to make the rest of your years the best they can be.

Forgiveness -The Gift You Give to Yourself (2006/07)

Humans are flawed creatures. At times we behave in ways that hurt others. This workshop presents what mental health professionals have come to understand about the importance of forgiveness in the healing process. Participants will examine their own feelings and experiences with forgiveness and learn strategies for using the power of forgiveness in their own lives.

Fostering the Creative Spirit in Yourself and Others (2005/06)

We are naturally creative from the very start of our lives. Unfortunately, many of us lose touch with our creative potential as time passes. Learn how to reconnect with your creativity. Rediscovering and reconnecting with our creativity is an exciting process that opens new options for problem-solving and productive living.

Our other program areas....

News & Updates
Connecting with Kids
Resource for staying in touch with kids.
Nibbles
Ideas for coping with the challenges of parenting and preparing your children for success.
Parenting Again
A newsletter focused on grandparents raising their grandchildren.
Working Families
News and ideas for families with working parents.
Contact Us
For more information about these programs, please contact:

Angela Reinhart
Unit Educator, Family Life
Champaign County Unit
801 Country Fair Drive
Suite D
Champaign, IL 61821
Phone: 217-333-7672
FAX: 217-333-7683
areinhrt@illinois.edu

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