About the Workshop
Your Instructor
Alyssa Kamphuis & Susan Willnecker
September 23, 2026
Session 1: Helping Children Deal With Negative Feelings
An exploration of what happens to children when their feelings are denied. Specific skills that help children to recognize and cope with their negative feelings: disappointment, envy, frustration, resentment, anger, etc. Ways to accept children’s feelings, limit unacceptable behavior, and still maintain goodwill.
September 30, 2026 Session 2: Engaging Cooperation Without Threats, Bribes or Yelling
How children react to commonly used methods to get them to cooperate: threats, warnings, orders, name-calling, sarcasm, lecturing, etc. Five ways to invite cooperation that will leave parents and children feeling good about themselves and each other.
October 7, 2026 Session 3: Problem Solving & Other Alternatives to Punishment
How do children normally react to punishment? Is it necessary to rely on punishment as a means of discipline? Some alternatives to punishment that enable parents to express their strong disapproval as well as encourage children to assume responsibility for their behavior.
October 14, 2026 Session 4: Engaging Responsibility and Autonomy
Ways to help children become separate, responsible people who can one day function on their own. Specific skills that help children to become more self-reliant.
October 21, 2026 Session 5: Effective Ways To Praise
An exploration of the kinds of praise that build a positive and realistic self-image, and the kinds that are counter-productive. A variety of ways to help our children become aware of their strengths so that they can become confident and resilient.
October 28, 2026 Session 6: Freeing Children From Negative Roles
A look at how children are sometimes cast into roles (bully, whiner, dawdler, mischief-maker, etc.) and how we can free them from playing out these roles. Six skills that help children see themselves in a different and more positive light.