‘Sing, Dance, Thrive!’ parenting strategies classes offered for young children, caregivers

Irvin L Young Memorial Library, Whitewater, has announced that it will be hosting parenting strategies classes, with focus placed on the use of such tools as music and dance to help caregivers find mechanisms to cope with challenging behaviors in youngsters. 

According to information released by the library, the classes engage children through musical fun, caregiver-child bonding, expressive dancing, and easy-to-use stress management and parenting strategies for children ages infant to 5. 

“Participants will use imaginative music, stories and movement activities to explore common childhood and parenting challenges and engage in proactive, whole-brain methods to prevent meltdowns, meet children in the midst of big feelings, and move from reactivity to connection and receptivity. Participants take home a binder with weekly parenting resources, musical strategy song sheets, and adult and children’s book lists,” the release stated. 

The classes will be taught by Noelle Werner Larson, who is a board-certified music therapist. Larson graduated from Whitewater High School and Berklee College of Music, and is the owner of Circle of Song Music Therapy, LLC. 

According to the release: “(Larson) has a passion for helping clients and participants to ‘connect, thrive, and come alive through music,’ strengthen family relationships, learn adaptive coping strategies, and experience wonder and joy through the delight of participating in live music-making. Whether she is serving young children or senior citizens, individuals in hospice care or children and adults with special needs, (Larson) feels honored to help each client work toward their goals and find meaningful connections through music.” 

An introductory event, where those interested in participating can learn more about the classes, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m. The six-week program will be held Fridays, Oct. 7 through Nov. 11, from  3:20 to 4 p.m., in the Irvin L Young Memorial Library’s Community Room, 431 W. Center St. 

The release noted: there is no cost to attend, but registration is required through the following links: whitewaterlibrary.org or https://forms.gle/u6zx9hMn5RPvA6LG6.

Those with questions are encouraged to contact the library by email: sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or by phone: 262-473-0530.  

Certified music therapist Noelle Werner Larson leads a group of children as they explore song and dance at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center. The activity was held in July alongside of another musical event called Savory Sounds, presented by the Whitewater Arts Alliance. Larson is set to hold music-oriented classes at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library beginning in October. The six-week program will focus on helping children and caregivers develop coping skills when confronted with challenging behaviors. Contributed photo/Whitewater Arts Alliance. 

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