UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — WPSU Penn State will offer three free webinars aimed at providing educators, parents and caregivers the tools and resources to help support the social and emotional learning needs of children.
Annie White, senior research associate for the Fred Rogers Center; Peggy Schooling, Penn State professor of practice in educational leadership and executive director of the Pennsylvania School Study Council; and Kate Berardi, a UNESCO fellow, will lead the webinars on Oct. 14, Oct. 28 and Nov. 12, respectively.
Each webinar will be one hour and consist of a presentation from the featured speaker and a Q&A session. The webinars are available to anyone, and educators who watch all three webinars live can earn Pennsylvania Act 48 continuing education units. Visit the WPSU Learning at Home website for more information and to register.
Berardi, who helped organize the series, said strengthening children’s social and emotional learning helps provide a foundation for their academic success.
“As educators and families navigate a fluctuating environment, both related to learning and everyday circumstances, it becomes particularly important to provide resources to support their social and emotional needs,” she said.
The three webinars are:
- “Simple Interactions: Using the Legacy of Fred Rogers to Support Everyday Interactions with Families” with White at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
- “Supporting Families through Changing Educational Environments” with Schooling at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
- “Empathy in the Classroom: A Hands-On Guide for Educators” with Berardi at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12.
On Oct. 14, White will talk to caregivers and educators about the benefits of simple, everyday interactions with children. Schooling’s presentation on Oct. 28 will aim to prepare educators and administrators for supporting families with changing educational environments throughout the school year. During the Nov. 12 webinar, Berardi will offer tips on how to best increase empathy in students through simple, everyday practices.
Berardi said the presenters want viewers to feel empowered when navigating new challenges.
“We hope parents, caregivers and educators can leave the webinars with tools they can use right now in their classrooms and homes to benefit their relationships with their children,” she said.
Visit the WPSU's Learning at Home website for more information about the webinars. WPSU is a Penn State Outreach service.