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How do you know what your baby or young child is trying to say? What does their behavior mean? And, most importantly, how can you best respond in a way that supports you and your child?
Parents of young children (infants through age 5) may be interested in a Touchpoints Workshop for Parents. Touchpoints are defined by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, M.D. as predictable outbursts or pauses in a child’s development. They usually occur before a phase of rapid growth in a specific area of development. For example, a child may be more irritable just before they have a growth spurt, a developmental gain, or a natural change in sleep habits.
By anticipating these changes, parents can reduce difficult interactions and behaviors with their child. Understanding these changes and effective ways to work with a child also reduces stress and feelings of doubt.
Dr. Brazelton has more than 30 years experience working with young children and their parents. He has written books and gives presentations on child development and behavioral changes. His Touchpoints program is known and used by many across the country.
Chaffee County became a Touchpoints Rural Pilot in 2007 through a supportive relationship with Fremont County Touchpoints. The program was launched here by Salida Build a Generation and became part of the Chaffee County Early Childhood Council in early 2008. As a rural pilot, Chaffee County was able to have one local trainer, Missy Tanner, who was then a nurse with Chaffee County Public Health, rather than covering the cost of a traditional three-member team. In 2007, Missy teamed with Fremont County trainers to provide Touchpoints to licensed in-home child care providers from Salida and Buena Vista.
Long time provider Bonnie Paul, who completed this first course explained, “Touchpoints completely changed how I see children. You learn so much. The best value is being able to recognize how different stages of growth, like taking first steps, can cause a child not to sleep or eat well. It can really change these patterns. Touchpoints helps you to recognize what children are going through and to help them. And it makes it easier to talk with their parents. I highly recommend it.”
In 2009, Chaffee County launched a coaching program for Touchpoints graduates when Elsie Hopkins was added to the local training team. Staff from Chaffee County Head Start, Two’s Early Learning Center, First Impressions infants and toddlers program, and Avery Parsons Preschool have all completed Touchpoints trainings.
Kathi Wardlow, Director of Two’s Early Learning, expressed her appreciation of the program by saying, “This program helps us understand the natural ups and downs of behavioral changes. When development is going on, behavioral issues you thought you and your child had mastered all of a sudden reverse temporarily.” Knowing this occurs helps in being more understanding and better prepared.
Touchpoints provides logical explanations. The resounding support of local Touchpoints graduates, especially when recruiting new participants, is the main reason this program is thriving.
Janine Pryor, Director of Chaffee County Early Childhood Council stated that the Touchpoints program was successful when introduced to in-home child care providers and to local preschool personnel. The next step was to provide this training to parents. “It is such a strong program. Other graduates have praised the information and the results. We want parents to have this opportunity too.”
The Chaffee County Early Childhood Council is pleased to bring this workshop to Chaffee County. It is a three-day workshop and participants must agree to attend all 16.5 hours. It will be held Saturday, March 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, March 19 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.; and again on Saturday, March 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. The workshop will be held at the Early Child Center in Salida located at 516 Teller Avenue. Childcare is available. Meals and snacks will be provided for participants and their children, if using the childcare services.
If interested, please contact Janine Pryor by March 1 at jpryor@ccecc.org or call her at 221-5114. There is no charge for the workshop.
The Chaffee County Early Childhood Council is a group of local agencies and individuals, including parents and professionals in the areas of health, mental health, child care, and education, committed to a sustainable early childhood system that supports parents and caregivers.
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