Lysterfield PS Newsletter

A Message from Kim

Justin Coulson - Happy Families

Supporting Autistic Children - Nurturing Neurodiversity - 5 week neurodiversity-affirming course

Parenting expert Dr. Justin Coulson and Autistic psychologist Dr. Joey Lawrence bring you “Supporting Autistic Children,” a powerful online course blending positive parenting with neurodivergence expertise to empower parents and carers. Gain practical strategies and compassionate guidance to navigate challenges and celebrate the strengths of your autistic child. 

The first module is free to watch and a downloadable workbook to go with it is also free to download. 

For more information, to access Module 1 for free and to register - 

Supporting Autistic Children Course | About - Happy Families

 

 

Justin Coulson - Happy Families

Webinar: The Screen Smart Series - Unplug Childhood and Tweens, Teens & Screens 

 

Register here - https://happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/the-screen-smart-series

 

In today’s digital age, parents face unique challenges in guiding their children through the complexities of the online world. The Screen Smart Series will equip you with the knowledge and strategies you need to foster healthy relationships with technology.

 

Tuesday 29 October 2024

Session 1: 7pm  | Unplug Childhood | For Parents of Primary School Children

Session 2: 8pm | Tweens, Teens & Screens | For Parents of High School Children

 

By offering two impactful presentations for the price of one, we are making expert mental health support more accessible than ever before. Dr. Coulson, Australia’s leading parenting expert, will deliver targeted advice relevant to parents of both primary school children and teenagers, ensuring that every family receives the guidance they need.

 

This webinar will offer help to navigate the digital landscape, set healthy boundaries, and empower your children to make responsible choices. Together, we can build a brighter future where screens enhance, rather than hinder, the wellbeing of our children.

 

Unplug Childhood

A presentation for parents of primary school aged children

In today’s digital age, our children face unprecedented challenges from social media and digital devices. Join us as we explore the urgent need to address these issues head-on. Social media companies have come under scrutiny for their failure to protect children, despite knowing the harm their platforms can cause. Dangerous algorithms push harmful content to vulnerable youth, impacting mental health and well-being. Screens not only disrupt academic performance but also displace crucial real-world experiences essential for healthy development.

 

While some advocate for legislative measures to restrict social media access for under-16s—a crucial step we fully support—implementing such laws takes time and faces significant technological and legislative hurdles. Parents cannot afford to wait. The majority of primary school-aged children already have social media accounts and smartphones, often violating existing age restrictions.

In this presentation, we discuss actionable strategies for parents and caregivers to navigate the digital landscape safely and effectively. From setting healthy screen-time limits to fostering open communication about online risks, empowering our children to navigate the digital world responsibly is more critical than ever. Together, we can take proactive steps to safeguard our children’s well-being in an increasingly digital world.

 

Tweens, Teens & Screens

Balancing Protection & Progress

No conversation about ‘kids these days’ has created more confusion and contention than the ‘screen-time’ discussion. How much is ok? How old should they be before they have a phone? Are games making our kids violent? Is social media destroying wellbeing?

 

Until now, our challenge has been that so much research is contradictory, there’s so little good-quality research, and there has been so much we simply don’t know. But all that is changing.

 

Join Dr Justin Coulson, one of the nation’s leading parenting experts, as he unpacks – step by step – the specific conclusions we can draw about our digital kids.

 

In this presentation you’ll discover:

  • Why screen time is an unhelpful way to talk about kids and screens
  • How boys and girls are affected differently by their screen use
  • The true story about screens and social media
  • The uncomfortable truth about boys and violent video games, and
  • Why ‘the displacement hypothesis’ is the critical lever to pull in balancing screen use for our kids’ wellbeing

 

Tweens, Teens & Screens is the conversation the nation needs to have about our kids and their screens.

 

Register now - 

https://happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/the-screen-smart-series

 

 

FREE Webinar - Impact of vaping on young people

Learn strategies to talk to young people about vaping

 

Tuesday 29 October, 7.00pm - 8.30pm 

This webinar presented by Drug Education Australia will cover:

  • Changes to laws in 2024 and their impact
  • The risks/potential harms associated with vaping
  • The new emerging trend - Nicotine pouches
  • Tips and strategies for talking with young people about vaping
  • Tips on how to strengthen communication and minimise harm when talking vaping with the young people in your life
  • Where to go for further help and support

 

To register: https://bit.ly/47ualvt

Email: youth@knox.vic.gov.au Call: 9298 8000