Aspire taking registrations for next parenting class

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By Marcy Mitchell

Aspire Medical Services and Education

Aspire Medical Services and Education congratulates its first class of parents for completing the inaugural Positive Parenting Class over the past eight weeks. 

Aspire’s Positive Parenting Program is a pilot program launched from Zero to Three (zerotothree.org) to help parents of babies and toddlers become more sensitive to children’s individual needs and addresses the typical challenges that arise in early childhood with empathy and respect. The class is free and also provides child care and snacks during the evening class.

“Parents of young children in Pagosa often feel isolated,“ said Marcy Mitchell, executive director of Aspire. “There are limited activities, child care or learning environments for parents of children under the age of 3 in town. Therefore, Aspire specifically addresses this need by offering a safe, supportive and enriching environment for young parents.” 

Taught by Aspire Education Coordinator Toni Haines, the Positive Parenting Program covers topics such as understanding your child’s temperament, social/emotional development, emotional regulation skills, ways to engage your child through play and handling challenging behaviors. 

In addition, participants receive a $25 gift card to City Market as well as a recipe during each class to make affordable meals that take less than 30 minutes to prepare. Furthermore, the ingredients for that week’s recipe are given away during each class to one family as well as other prizes. 

Haines expressed, “Since taking the class, our parents are calmer, more confident and empowered in their crucial roles of childrearing. They have gained an invaluable understanding of how their individual child’s developmental age/stage, temperament and experiences in the world affect their everyday behaviors and how they, as parents, can respond effectively. This knowledge will continue to positively impact their children for a lifetime.” 

In fact, Psychology Today links positive parenting to “higher school grades, fewer behavior problems, less substance use, better mental health, greater social competence and more positive self-concepts.” 

Aspire’s next class starts in mid-April, so it is taking registrations now. Class size is limited to 12, so call 264-5963 if you are interested in attending. 

Aspire also offers digital prenatal and parenting education to parents of babies and toddlers that can be sent via text or email as well as taken one-on-one with a mentor. Clients taking classes earn boutique bucks that can be used to shop and purchase diapers, wipes, baby supplies, maternity clothes and baby equipment. In addition, Aspire provides affordable prenatal care programs. Aspire’s prenatal provider, Dr. Carole Nasralla, has more than 20 years of experience providing prenatal care in the community.

Visit aspirepagosa.org for more information on our prenatal care and parenting programs.