Web Archive
October 31, 2011
For immediate release
Australian expert to talk with Islanders about the difference parenting makes
Education and Early Childhood Development
“The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to welcome Dr. Matt Sanders for a series of information sessions and workshops for parents and those working with children and families,” said Premier Robert Ghiz. “It is important for government and community stakeholders to discuss what information is available for families and find ways to work together to improve childhood development, student achievement and the overall well being of youth.”
The Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention and the PEI Children’s Secretariat are hosting the visit which will feature panel discussions and speaking engagements. The keynote speaker is Dr. Matt Sanders, a professor of Clinical Psychology and director of the Parenting and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland, Australia. He is also the founder of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program.
Triple P is a parenting and family support strategy aimed at preventing behavioural, emotional and developmental challenges in children. The program is aimed at enhancing the knowledge, skills and confidence of parents. Triple P incorporates five levels of intervention to increase the strength of parents of children from birth to age 16.
“All parents can benefit from support and education, but different families have different needs,” said Dr. Philip Smith, Chair of the Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention. “Some families will benefit from encouragement to recognize their strengths and from ideas about working with common challenges; others will benefit from more intensive help. But a comprehensive approach, with common messages across the range of supports, can make an enormous difference in children's social, emotional, behavioural, academic, and health outcomes.”
While in Prince Edward Island, Dr. Sanders will lead a workshop with professionals who work with or for children and families. He is also addressing the Rotary Club of Summerside and will host a public event at the Colonel Gray High School lecture theatre in Charlottetown. The topic of discussion is “The Difference Parenting Makes” and the doors open Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m, at Colonel Gray High School.
For more information on the Triple P program, visit www.triplep.net. For details on Dr. Matt Sanders’ visit to Prince Edward Island, contact the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
