Let’s CHAT: Creating Healthy Attitudes Around Technology

April 11, 2018

UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA), the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) and Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) invite the community to a free parenting seminar called CHAT: Creating Healthy Attitudes around Technology.

 

This informational event will highlight research-based approaches and tools to help parents manage their children’s use of technology devices in the home.

 

The seminar is Saturday, April 14 in UNM-LA’s Building 2. Sign-in begins at 8 a.m., with a light breakfast from Secret City Kitchen. There will be two concurrent tracks 8:30 a.m. to noon, one addressing primary grades and one addressing secondary grades.

 

Healthy Schools Program Director Kristine Coblentz and LAPS Site Tech Administrator Sal Zapien will present on school technology and wellness for each age group.

 

In the secondary grade session, Brandi Seekins of the Los Alamos High School Risk and Resiliency Assessment group (RAPS) will lead a roundtable, exploring root causes for risk-taking behaviors and acknowledging the strengths and protective factors that are present in the local community.

 

In the primary grade session, Denise Matthews, a play-based education specialist at PEEC, will address “Experiencing Nature through Play,” also involving participants in activities.

 

“It is important for parents to network,” Zapien said. “They need to reach beyond their own families and talk with other parents about technology and how they allow their children to use it.”

 

Free childcare for children ages six months through pre-school is available at the ARK Child Development Center, courtesy of Zia Credit Union. Parents are encouraged to call the Ark at 505.662.4822 no later than Wednesday April 11, to sign up for childcare.

 

Enrichment activities for children kindergarten through sixth grade will be offered at UNM-LA. Parents should call UNM-LA Community Education at 505.662.0346 to register their children for those activities.

 

Advance registration is encouraged for this free workshop. Visit losalamos.unm.edu/community-education/parenting-CHAT-Spring-2018 to sign up online. For more information, contact UNM-LA Community Education at 505.662-0346 or commed@unm.edu.

 

CHAT: Creating Healthy Attitudes around Technology is presented as part of the Parenting University series, free to the public due to generous support from JJAB. Individuals are welcome to show their appreciation for this event and all JJAB’s worthwhile programs by donating through the JJAB website at losalamosjjab.com/donate/.