My City August 2021

MYCOMMUNITY

A year ago, the MSU Exten sion began offering a pro gram – the Family Enrich ment Series – created with the goal of helping families live happier lives.The series has been very success ful, according to Anne O’Rourke-Bean, Parenting Instructor and co-founder of FES. Also on the team are co-founder and nutrition instructor Lynette Kaiser, Playtime Instructor Patricia Marrs and Kevin Zoromski, who handles the data collection and evaluation of FES . O’Rourke-Bean explains that the FES provides guiding principles for effective parenting including the importance of establishing routines, theThinking Time Spot, consequences, nutrition education and playtime. “We are there as a support system for families,”Kaiser adds. Sessions are currently presented virtually, but they expect to go face-to-face in September or October of this year. It is available to families in Flint and Genesee County. Kaiser’s nutrition classes include ways families can eat healthy on a budget. “We teach parents about how important nutrition is for children,” Kaiser states. University Extension FAMILY ENRICHMENT SERIES Happy Kids, Happy Parents, Happy Home BY CHERYL DENNISON Michigan State

“And we show them how to make it happen in their everyday lives.” O’Rourke-Bean teaches parents the importance of establishing a routine. In theThinking Time Spot segment, she shares techniques that parents can use to help kids find a spot where they can sit, calm down, and identify their feelings and emotions. She also teaches parents how to talk about consequences (natural, logical and imposed) of their children’s actions. “This teaches kids how to solve a problem and learn from their own mistakes and choices,”O’Rourke-Bean explains. Playtime is also an important aspect of FES.There are two groups – one for infants-age two, and regular playtime for children aged two and a half to age five. “Playtime with Patti is making a big impact with both the parents and the chil dren,” says O’Rourke-Bean.The playtime instructor also works with kids of any age. FES Zoom sessions have been held at various locations including Hamilton Community Health clin ics, Flint Unity School and World of Wonder Preschool in Fenton. They also received a grant for virtual ses sions at Neithercut Elementary School that were held in May and June. The Neithercut Family Enrichment

Series included virtual sessions about parenting skills for parents of kids of all ages and nutritional education for the whole family. The families each received a Flint Fresh Box, $50 grocery card, a kitchen utensil and a cookbook. Kevin Zoromski says the feedback about FES has been positive. Program participants complete pre- and post evaluations of their experiences. “I wish I would have had this available to me as a young mother,” Lynette Kaiser shares. “It’s a big deal for us to be doing this. It has been a very important mission for all four of us,” O’Rourke-Bean adds. “We’re excited that we have had the opportunity to be a support system to families and see them discover that they can help themselves and help their children to succeed – not just in the family, but in the world, as well.” NEW Sleep Education for Everyone Each Zoom session is designed to last about 30 minutes each.The modules include a short (2-3 minute) educational video designed to deliver key concepts.The remainder of the time is spent discussing the topics, brain storming solutions to possible obstacles to improving sleep, and goal setting. p

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