AUBURN – Advocates for Children has announced the annual “Parenting Matters” Conference from 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Central Maine Community College.

Keynote speaker will be Jane Katch, discussing “Bang, You’re Dead!,” dealing with children’s violent fantasy play .

Katch will explore the ways young children make sense of violence in culture and how parents can help them deal with it constructively.

Katch is the author of “Under Deadman’s Skin: Discovering the Meaning of Children’s Violent Play” (Beacon, 2000). Her second book, “They Don’t Like Me: Lessons on Bullying and Teasing from a Preschool Classroom,” was published by Beacon Press in 2003.

She has presented lectures and workshops at Harvard Graduate School of Education, Tufts University, Wheelock College and Lesley College.

Workshop participants will also select two workshops out of 15. Subjects will include talking with children about the news; Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings; step-parenting; make-it and take-it books; when to call the doctor; why good grieving matters; discipline and the young child; eating well for busy families; and make-it and take-it crafts.

Cost is $30 a person, or for early bird registrations received before Thursday, Feb. 22, $25.Registration includes a continental breakfast, coffee breaks, keynote address and two workshops. To request a registration flyer, call Advocates for Children at 783-3990.


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