Parenting Week 8 – 14 September - Supporting Parents with the ‘Big 5 ’

5 September 2003

Ask a librarian the key issues where parents seek help and they’ll tell you the ‘big five’ - toilet training, starting school, bullying and fighting, going to hospital, and dealing with the death of a family member.

“Parents are looking for resources which will help them to deal with these issues in a positive and effective way”, says Bill Nagelkerke, Children’s and Young Adult Services Coordinator at Christchurch City Libraries, in the lead up to Parenting Week (8 – 14 September).

Libraries can help with parents’ efforts to develop their children’s reading skills. Christchurch City Libraries’ website (http://library.christchurch.org.nz) has tips on sharing books with your child and a dedicated section called “Good Reads for Kids” with suggestions for other books your child might enjoy (particularly if they’re a Harry Potter fan).

Popular library events for parents and children alike are the regular story, music and rhyme sessions called Babytimes (for under 2s) and Pre-School Storytimes, held at a variety of libraries. Details of these free sessions are available from libraries, or by phoning 941 7923, and are listed on the library website.

Other library events during Parenting Week geared especially towards parents are sessions on Baby Massage and Baby Yoga presented by Carey Sumner, a graduate of the British School of Yoga. Sessions are at the Centre for the Child (Central City Library) and Papanui Library.

At Halswell Library, Adrienne Braam from Canterbury Home Schoolers will talk about her experiences of home schooling and give advice to those parents thinking about home schooling their children.

For details of these and other Parenting Week events check out the Parenting Week brochure available at libraries or on the Parenting Week website at http://www.ccc.govt.nz/events/ParentingWeek/2003/

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