Are you a parent or a caregiver who is fostering the development of littles in your life? Do you love learning through books? Do you enjoy peer-to-peer discussion and support about caring for children – the joys and challenges? We invite you to join our discussion this fall as we learn, share, and reflect together on better ways to fulfill our roles.

Starting this fall, the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s Early Childhood Community Hub team is offering a book club for parents and caregivers, around the topic of positive parenting! We want to make it easy, so there’s no travel, no cost of gas, no childcare needs, and thanks to a grant from our local WISE group (Women’s Initiative for Service and Education) the books (both audio and paperback) are free!  There will be 2 books read between September and December. You are welcome to join for 1 book or both!  In January, the Early Childhood Hub will lead a training on the second book by a certified teacher of Positive Discipline, our very own Nancie Deming. You do not need to attend the book clubs to join the training, but the books may spark an interest.

We hope to create a space for us to connect as parents and caregivers of young children. Social connection has been identified as a need in Cook County for families, and this is one way that we hope to help caregivers of young children connect with like-minded local peers. This is meant to be a space for us to discuss each book and the ways that we implement its strategies. We hope you can attend as many sessions that work for you and your schedule - All sessions are optional. Please feel free to welcome your entire family into these discussions, or find a quiet corner to join us for these valuable conversations. Come as you are, this is a welcome space for all parents & caregivers.

The first book that we will read together is, The Whole Brain Child, by Daniel J. Siegel.

Book 1 - Two Sessions via Zoom: We will read the book on our own, and meet 2 times per book. 

· Tuesday, September 27th from 6:30 – 7:30 – ½ way through The Whole Brain Child

· Tuesday, October 25th from 6:30 – 7:30 – Final wrap-up discussion

The second book is Positive Discipline, by Dr. Jane Nelsen. This registration link will come later, so watch for the media release. 

Book Description:
The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind

“In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids throw tantrums, fight, or sulk in silence. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth.

Complete with age-appropriate strategies for dealing with day-to-day struggles and illustrations that will help you explain these concepts to your child, The Whole-Brain Child shows you how to cultivate healthy emotional and intellectual development so that your children can lead balanced, meaningful, and connected lives.”

The Whole Brain Child: Positive Parenting & Caregiver Book Club

Facilitator: Jodi Tervo Roberts, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic 

Partners: Sawtooth Mountain Clinic's Early Childhood Hub, Wise Women, and Cook County Higher Education

Cost: FREE - Book is also provided (Audio - MP3 CD or Paperback or Digital) 

Register at: Cook County Higher Education | ONLINE: The Whole Brain Child: Positive Parenting & Caregiver Book Club | Online Registration (imperisoft.com)

www.mycche.org | 218-387-3411 | [email protected] 

* If you register after September 5th, you are still welcome to join in the sessions, you will just need to get a copy of the book on your own. 

Facilitator: Jodi is an Early Childhood Community Resource Navigator for families in Cook County, under the Early Childhood Community Hub Grant housed within Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. Jodi is the Mom of 2 young children and has a passion for learning through reading. She has enjoyed learning about applied positive psychology strategies over the past decade, and practicing these strategies to create an environment for her family to thrive. She looks forward to connecting with other parents through discussions sparked by the topics in each book. It is her hope that by providing this opportunity to engage with other parents in our own homes, parents will find meaningful connections from all corners of our county. In her spare time, Jodi enjoys exploring nature with her family and reading on the shores of Lake Superior. If you would like to get in touch with Jodi regarding this book club or to find resources for your family, please feel free to email her at [email protected].

Partner: 
The Cook County Early Childhood Community Resource Hub Grant is a grant that was awarded to Sawtooth Mountain Clinic through a competitive process by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Education. SMC is in the second year of this 2 year grant, and this Book Club is aiming to fulfill the community needs of helping families to feel connected and engaged. We will happily accept feedback and input from families on what other activities they would like to engage in to help them feel connected, supported and heard. Please reach out to the SMC Early Childhood Team with ideas. Our general email is [email protected].