The human brain is a complex organ, and its complicated nature is magnified through childhood and adolescence.
Parents, teachers or anyone who deals with children on a regular basis can get some insight into the childhood brain through this yearB次元官网网址檚 Vancouver Island Parent Conference, happening tomorrow (Feb. 25) at Royal Bay secondary.
This yearB次元官网网址檚 event will cover a variety of different aspects, in contrast with previous events that have had a narrower focus.
In addition to the brain, the minefield of puberty, anxiety, sexual education and how technology can be used to benefit children are other themes for the event.
The all-day workshop will feature presentations by communication teacher and writer Brad Buie, Island Sexual Health co-ordinator of community education services Jennifer Gibson, and renowned brain-based learning facilitator Gary Anaka.
Stephanie Longstaff, chair of the conferenceB次元官网网址檚 planning committee, says AnakaB次元官网网址檚 presentations have a way of staying with his audiences.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 known as the brain coach,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a high-energy, exciting presenter and you will remember his presentations for years to come. Informative, interesting and entertaining at the same time.B次元官网网址�
The morning will be more of a B次元官网网址渓isten and learnB次元官网网址� session, while the afternoon will be a hands-on experience, with participants engaging with workshop leaders to enhance their learning and ask more specific questions.
The conference has been an annual event in the region for the past decade and was held at Royal Bay for the first time in 2016, but this yearB次元官网网址檚 event could be the last according to Longstaff.
B次元官网网址�(For) many of us, our kids have graduated the system and itB次元官网网址檚 a lot of work,B次元官网网址� she said, adding that new parent volunteers are needed if the conference is to continue. Funding cuts to the Greater Victoria School DistrictB次元官网网址檚 Parent Advisory Council has also hurt the conferenceB次元官网网址檚 viability, Longstaff said.
In contrast, she credited the Sooke School District for its support of the conference.
B次元官网网址�(District superintendent) Jim Cambridge has just gone out of his way to help us,B次元官网网址� she noted.
The $140 registration fee includes lunch and refreshments and keen participants can sign up online at vipc.ca or in person on Saturday.
