Navigating toddler behaviour, detecting speech concerns early and engaging in family yoga are just some of the free parenting workshops planned in Lake Macquarie this year.
The workshops, which will go ahead at the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang at 11am on the third Friday of each month, form part of the annual You're Kidding Me program.
Lake Macquarie City Council Coordinator Social and Community Planning Jessica Salvador said the program, which starts on Friday 23 February, was all about supporting families to be empowered and confident in giving their child the best start in life.
"Each month a local child development expert will be on hand to share advice and guidance while children simultaneously engage in play," she said.
"This setting allows parents to connect with one another and gain strategies to best support their family in a calm and relaxed environment."
An overwhelming 85 per cent of families said they acquired a new skill or strategy that they were able to implement at home after participating in last year's program.
"It's always so rewarding to see families come out of our workshops feeling more prepared and confident in their role of raising resilient children," Ms Salvador said.
"While the program focuses on parents with kids aged under five, this year we're designating more workshops to focus on toddlers and how parents can manage their rapid development."
The first session, at 11am Friday 23 February, called Family Yoga will take parents and children on a journey through music and movement, fostering calm and joy for all involved.
The March session will feature Julie Fawcett from Julie Logan Music who will teach parents the power of expressive movements and melodies in child development.
"Research shows there's no single activity which lights up so many parts of the brain as much as music," Ms Fawcett said.
"In my session, each child will be exposed to exceptional opportunities for intellectual, language, co-ordination and social development."
The following workshop, on Friday 19 April, will involve multiple stations inviting participation and invoking curiosity.
The workshops will be held monthly, with the final one to be held in November 2024.
The program is proudly sponsored by Julie Logan Music, Early Start Speech Pathology, Happy Dots, Hunter New England Health, CALM and Yoga for Mama.
Events will be made available online at lakemac.com.au.
