Are you a caretaker dreading the challenging talk about puberty, hormones and sex health education with your children?
A group of Western Carolina University experts from the psychology, communication and education departments will hold their second annual “Growing Up Together” workshop for parents and caregivers of children from K to 5th grade on body development and puberty signs and how to talk to children about it.
The event will take place at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sylva on Sept. 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The workshop will be a place for adults to learn more about sex health education, the stigma surrounding it, and how to promote educational conversations with children.
Meghan Gangel, psychology professor at WCU, said parents will receive valuable knowledge on sex education, emotional imbalance, developmental timeline and signs, and conversations about how to communicate with adolescents regarding puberty.
“I know that this is relevant and timely. I know parents currently, caregivers currently, are just really struggling with a lack of support,” said Gangel. “This is just another way for us and the community to support caregivers and parents, families, and children.”
Teaching alongside Gangel are Melissa Mecadon-Mann, a counseling professor, Candy Noltensmeyer, a communication professor, Sarah Pedonti, a birth-to-kindergarten professor, and psychology doctoral student Daniel Hamill.
The workshop will also feature a segment from Curt Collins, who works with the Jackson County Department of Public Health and teaches sex education to high schoolers.
“I think that we want to make this as approachable as possible. I think sometimes sex education, puberty, can be considered controversial,” said Gangel. “We are not teaching actual sex education content. What we are doing is kind of opening the door for this to happen.”
Parents will receive pamphlets, snacks and time to ask questions. Participants will be entered into a lottery for the chance to win books about adolescent development, along with some WCU merchandise.
Caregivers can bring children to the event. Children will be kept separate to allow adults to communicate information when fit. Undergraduate students will be available for childcare, as well as snacks, games and coloring. A Spanish translator will also be available.
If interested in attending the event, you can register by filling out this form.
