A week of free workshops to support families

Through a multitude of workshops, meetings, and lectures, the event aims to provide parents with practical tools and strengthen family bonds. Led by the Municipality and facilitated by a wide range of professionals, the program is free, although registration is often required for many activities.

A program for all ages

The program was designed to meet the needs of every stage of child development. The youngest (0-3 years) can develop their senses through babywearing, baby massage, and sign language communication workshops with Vaness’Maternage, a pediatric nurse.

Moments of bonding are also offered with parent-baby dance (0-18 months) and parent-child yoga (3-10 years).

For older children, a robotics workshop (from age 8) introduces assembly and programming. Street art initiation sessions with artist Alex Z are scheduled for Wednesdays. Creativity will also be stimulated through visual arts workshops, object making with the association La LOWbjetheque, or a haiku sophro-writing session (7-12 years).

Digital challenges and adolescence

The week also addresses more complex educational topics. A highlight will be the lecture “Mon ado, ma bataille”, hosted on Thursday, November 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. by Emmanuelle Piquet. A senior lecturer at the university of Liège and graduate of the Palo Alto school, she will offer keys to navigating adolescence. The lecture takes place at the auditorium of La Garde and is accessible online via Zoom.

Digital issues are the subject of several interventions. The Ligue de l’enseignement du Var leads games to raise awareness about proper Internet use and a chat lounge on the topic.

In addition, a meeting is organized on Wednesday, November 18 by Aidera Var for parents of children with autism. A coordinator and a psychologist facilitate the discussions, while young people aged 10 to 18 take part in a video game activity.

Parents’ well-being at the heart of the program

Aware that parenting can be a source of stress, the organizers have included workshops dedicated to parents’ well-being, such as sophrology sessions, relaxation, or workshops on managing children’s emotions.

Thus, Sophie Matte, a naturopath, leads a session on children’s autonomy. Meanwhile, pediatric nurses from the Département offer a “parents’ café” to discuss daily care.