Families Invited to Free ‘Raising A Thinking Child’ Program

A group of Door County participants from the spring 2017 series. Submitted.

A new family program in Door County, called Raising A Thinking Child, helps children and families succeed and is a collaborative effort between a variety of agencies. The program is free and open to all families with a 4-7 year old. Many child development experts say teaching social and emotional learning (SEL) skills may be just the ticket to helping children do well throughout life. These skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships skills, and responsible decision-making. The program is offered free of cost and includes a family meal and child care.

Parents who participated in the program in the past not only enjoyed the welcome and nonjudgmental tone of the series, they also saw positive changes in their family. Parents noted that communication with their child was easier and that there was less arguing and stress in the family. Parents reported that the program helped their child express their feelings, take turns, wait and be patient, help other children, and think critically.

Raising a Thinking Child is a collaborative effort between UW Extension, Sturgeon Bay Schools, Door County Public Health Department, the Door County Partnership for Children and Families, and the Wisconsin Partnership Program. The program is open to all families and empowers parents to help their child learn how, not what to think.

Raising a Thinking Child starts again this fall and takes place Mondays at Sunset School in Sturgeon Bay from 6 – 7:30 pm, from Oct. 2 to Nov. 20.

To learn more or to register for the upcoming program, contact Tenley Koehler, UW Extension Family Living Educator, at 920.746.2260 or [email protected]. More information is also available at facebook.com/UWEXDCFamilyLiving/.