Low Cost Parenting Programs
Throughout the year, Mana Parents Centre is proud to be able to offer low cost parenting programmes to the community. We run a variety of courses to help parents meet the challenges of raising children. Courses are available for all ages and stages of development and are presented by qualified adult educators in their respective fields. Topics range from starting solids to baby & infant CPR.
The courses run for 2 hours on a weekday night at our premises in Pember House, Porirua.
Please refer to schedule for relevant pricing. Members get priority for all bookings. Bookings are recommended. Again, your place on a course is not secured until full payment has been received.
The venue for each session (unless otherwise stated) is the Ground Floor, Pember House, 16 Hagley St, Porirua. Each session runs for 2 hours beginning at 7.30pm.
Bookings are preferred (essential for CPR), and Parents Centre members have priority. To make a booking or find our more, contact Mana Parents Centre on 237 6262 or email parentedbookings@gmail.com
CPR for Babies and Toddlers
Come and learn how to save a life by learning CPR for Babies and Toddlers. Remember, the technique is different once a child is more than 12 months old. It takes just a couple of hours to learn these vital life long skills. This session will also cover dealing with choking in children.
Presenter: Margaret Domett
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Presenter: Margaret Domett
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Moving and Safety
A useful and interactive information evening for parents of
babies 6-12 months old. The session will cover:
- An overview of Active Movement (where it came from, why we have it) - Benefits of Active Movement - The relationship between brain development and movement - Practically speaking, what we can do at home? This will cover songs and practical ideas for children between 6-12 months of age that the caregivers can do at home with the children. - any questions and answers This session will be led by Ellie Goddard, the Active Movement advisor from Sport Wellington.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
babies 6-12 months old. The session will cover:
- An overview of Active Movement (where it came from, why we have it) - Benefits of Active Movement - The relationship between brain development and movement - Practically speaking, what we can do at home? This will cover songs and practical ideas for children between 6-12 months of age that the caregivers can do at home with the children. - any questions and answers This session will be led by Ellie Goddard, the Active Movement advisor from Sport Wellington.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Changing Family Dynamics with a New Baby
Expecting your second child? Wondering how things might pan out in your family as the new little one settles in? Come along and hear from a panel of local parents about their experiences, what they’ve found, and ideas they have about making the transition easier.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Speech & Language Development
Learn how language develops in babies and toddlers. What to expect and when. How can parents help encourage speech development? When to be concerned about your child’s speaking ability. Discover that answers to these questions and more at this interactive session on speech and language development.
Presenter: Lynne Hayes
Lynne is a Speech Language Therapist working as part of the early intervention team at Special Education, Porirua Office. Lynne has many years of experience working with young children with a wide range of communication difficulties.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Presenter: Lynne Hayes
Lynne is a Speech Language Therapist working as part of the early intervention team at Special Education, Porirua Office. Lynne has many years of experience working with young children with a wide range of communication difficulties.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Creating & Maintaining a Reading Environment in the Home
Come along to this highly informative evening, and have your questions about this important topic answered.
Presenters: John and Ruth McIntyre
Mana Parent Centre is delighted that John and Ruth McIntyre, owners of The Children's Bookshop in Kilbirnie are coming to present to us. John is the Children's Book Reviewer on Nine To Noon, Radio NZ with Kathryn Ryan, where he provides an entertaining and thoughtful insight into children's books. John and Ruth will also bring a selection of books which can be purchased on the night.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Presenters: John and Ruth McIntyre
Mana Parent Centre is delighted that John and Ruth McIntyre, owners of The Children's Bookshop in Kilbirnie are coming to present to us. John is the Children's Book Reviewer on Nine To Noon, Radio NZ with Kathryn Ryan, where he provides an entertaining and thoughtful insight into children's books. John and Ruth will also bring a selection of books which can be purchased on the night.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Positive Discipline & Tantrums
Find out what makes your Toddler tick – why they throw tantrums and effective strategies for dealing with them.
Turn the “terrible twos” into the “terrific twos”. Explore your roles as parents and increase your enjoyment of your children.
Facilitator/presenter: Lynda Murray
Lynda Murray has been working in the charity sector for more than 15 years, first at WWF, the global conservation organization, and later at Plunket. She is currently the Coordinator for the Plunket Parenting Programme (PEPE) for the Wellington/Wairarapa region, and also a facilitator of these courses. Her role is to work with parents exploring challenges and strengths and helping them to realise their skills and abilities, but to primarily parent with confidence. She has two daughters who are a constant source of inspiration, fun and sometimes challenge.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Turn the “terrible twos” into the “terrific twos”. Explore your roles as parents and increase your enjoyment of your children.
Facilitator/presenter: Lynda Murray
Lynda Murray has been working in the charity sector for more than 15 years, first at WWF, the global conservation organization, and later at Plunket. She is currently the Coordinator for the Plunket Parenting Programme (PEPE) for the Wellington/Wairarapa region, and also a facilitator of these courses. Her role is to work with parents exploring challenges and strengths and helping them to realise their skills and abilities, but to primarily parent with confidence. She has two daughters who are a constant source of inspiration, fun and sometimes challenge.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Parenting for Dads
Fathers are an extremely important part of a child’s life. Hear about the role of fathers and issues relevant to Dads, as your relationships with the members of your family develop through the various stages. A lively and humorous discussion, for Dads of boys and/or girls.
This education session is the only session all year specifically targeted at Dads. Take the opportunity to come along and meet other Dads and to hear about parenting from a guy’s perspective.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
This education session is the only session all year specifically targeted at Dads. Take the opportunity to come along and meet other Dads and to hear about parenting from a guy’s perspective.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Food Glorious Food
Introducing your baby to eating solids is a whole new experience. This information evening is aimed at helping parents and babies make the transition to eating solids.
The evening will also cover other important topics relating to feeding your baby & toddler, including:
cooking for your baby & toddler
how to handle a fussy baby/toddler
what to look for when purchasing food
recognising food allergies
Presenter: Bridget Leppein
Bridget is a registered nurse with a degree in Human Nutrition. She is currently employed as an Infant Feeding Advisor for Heinz-Watties. On top of all this Bridget has also found time to raise 3 children!
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
The evening will also cover other important topics relating to feeding your baby & toddler, including:
cooking for your baby & toddler
how to handle a fussy baby/toddler
what to look for when purchasing food
recognising food allergies
Presenter: Bridget Leppein
Bridget is a registered nurse with a degree in Human Nutrition. She is currently employed as an Infant Feeding Advisor for Heinz-Watties. On top of all this Bridget has also found time to raise 3 children!
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Toilet Training
Everything you need to know about toilet training:
When is my child ready to be toilet trained?
How long should this training take?
What’s the best thing to do when accidents occur?
Get all your questions answered during this informative evening.
Facilitator/presenter: Lynda Murray
Lynda Murray has been working in the charity sector for more than 15 years, first at WWF, the global conservation organization, and later at Plunket. She is currently the Coordinator for the Plunket Parenting Programme (PEPE) for the Wellington/Wairarapa region, and also a facilitator of these courses. Her role is to work with parents exploring challenges and strengths and helping them to realise their skills and abilities, but to primarily parent with confidence. She has two daughters who are a constant source of inspiration, fun and sometimes challenge.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
When is my child ready to be toilet trained?
How long should this training take?
What’s the best thing to do when accidents occur?
Get all your questions answered during this informative evening.
Facilitator/presenter: Lynda Murray
Lynda Murray has been working in the charity sector for more than 15 years, first at WWF, the global conservation organization, and later at Plunket. She is currently the Coordinator for the Plunket Parenting Programme (PEPE) for the Wellington/Wairarapa region, and also a facilitator of these courses. Her role is to work with parents exploring challenges and strengths and helping them to realise their skills and abilities, but to primarily parent with confidence. She has two daughters who are a constant source of inspiration, fun and sometimes challenge.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Top & Toe
A parent’s guide to looking after growing feet & teeth
Lisa Whiteman from Paremata Podiatrists will talk about how feet develop, when & how to buy the right shoes for your child, and how to take the best possible care of those feet for the many years of stomping ahead.
Anne Limes, an experienced Dental Therapist based at Titahi Bay School, will cover the development of teeth, how to look after your child’s pearly whites and keep them that way, and when to enroll for dental services.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Lisa Whiteman from Paremata Podiatrists will talk about how feet develop, when & how to buy the right shoes for your child, and how to take the best possible care of those feet for the many years of stomping ahead.
Anne Limes, an experienced Dental Therapist based at Titahi Bay School, will cover the development of teeth, how to look after your child’s pearly whites and keep them that way, and when to enroll for dental services.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Baby Sign
"Ever wonder what your baby is thinking? Want to have fun and enhance bonding with your baby? Want to decrease frustration and reduce tantrums while promoting language development? Come to a BabyTalk Baby Sign Language workshop and learn how to use this wonderful, easy to use early communication tool for hearing babies. A BabyTalk workshop is designed to give parents all the tools and information they need to successfully introduce Baby Sign Language and have fun with it. Our Wellington and Kapiti area coach, Tara, is an experienced signing parent herself so you are learning from someone with real life, hands on experience."
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
When to Call the Doctor
It is not always obvious when to call the doctor when your child is sick. Come and hear from a local doctor on a wide range of childhood illnesses to learn when to get a child to a medical professional. There is plenty of time to ask specific questions about childhood illnesses and some handout material to take home with you.
General topics covered include;
• Injections; do we need them and what are the pros and cons of having it done
• Temperatures; what do they mean and can we treat them at home?
• Ear infections; how do I know it is an ear infection if my child is too young to talk?
• When do I give pamol and is that the best medication currently on the market?
• Rashes; how do I treat these?
• Food allergies; how do I know it is an allergy and what is the best way to treat this?
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
General topics covered include;
• Injections; do we need them and what are the pros and cons of having it done
• Temperatures; what do they mean and can we treat them at home?
• Ear infections; how do I know it is an ear infection if my child is too young to talk?
• When do I give pamol and is that the best medication currently on the market?
• Rashes; how do I treat these?
• Food allergies; how do I know it is an allergy and what is the best way to treat this?
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Creative Play
An interactive course designed for parents wanting to know about age appropriate toys for babies from newborn through to 18 months of age.
By introducing the right toys at each of the key stages, you are helping your child develop their learning skills – ensuring they understand and then engage in the world around them. The session is going to run as an open forum by Robi Harrington who is a Child Development Specialist who has been working with parents over the last 10 years to show them what toys are appropriate for what age and what toys are long lasting in a child's development. Robi will talk about “store bought toys” as well as toys you can make at home from everyday items.
You are more than welcome to bring your child(ren) with you to the session.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
By introducing the right toys at each of the key stages, you are helping your child develop their learning skills – ensuring they understand and then engage in the world around them. The session is going to run as an open forum by Robi Harrington who is a Child Development Specialist who has been working with parents over the last 10 years to show them what toys are appropriate for what age and what toys are long lasting in a child's development. Robi will talk about “store bought toys” as well as toys you can make at home from everyday items.
You are more than welcome to bring your child(ren) with you to the session.
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Music Classes
Do you want to move and groove with your baby and meet other mums and babies? Come and join in to our music classes which are a great way to introduce your child to action songs and musical instruments. We run two half hour sessions on a Tuesday morning with morning tea in between. We have a qualified music teacher who runs the class and does a variety of childrens action songs, accompanied by musical instruments (bells, drums, tambourines, clackers and much more). Bookings are not required, just turn up and join in!! We place an emphasis on songs and activities, which promote language development and motor skills, while learning about and appreciating music.
When
Tuesday morning 9.30am – 11am
9.30am – 10am Music class for moving children
10am – 10.30am Morning tea (supplied)
10.30am – 11am Music class for non moving children
Cost
$4 for members and $5 for non-members per family
Where
Ground floor, Pember House, Hagley St, Porirua
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
When
Tuesday morning 9.30am – 11am
9.30am – 10am Music class for moving children
10am – 10.30am Morning tea (supplied)
10.30am – 11am Music class for non moving children
Cost
$4 for members and $5 for non-members per family
Where
Ground floor, Pember House, Hagley St, Porirua
“Check out the timetable to find class dates for 09.“
Testimonials
The CPR course I went on was fantastic. It was great being able to actually practice on the dummy’s and go through some very real scenario’s. I feel I am well prepared to use the techniques if I have to.
Annemaree & Trevor Deed
"Mana PC Parent Ed classes are fantastic. I have been to a number of them including Top & Toe, Food Glorious Food and Positive Discipline. All of the classes are well run and have been of benefit to my chiuld as he progressed from an infant to a toddler. "
Annemaree & Trevor Deed
"Mana PC Parent Ed classes are fantastic. I have been to a number of them including Top & Toe, Food Glorious Food and Positive Discipline. All of the classes are well run and have been of benefit to my chiuld as he progressed from an infant to a toddler. "
