Parent Education
West Sound Academy is excited to be partnering with ParentMap for the 2024-2025 webinar series of ParentEd Talks. The entire series features twelve renowned speakers who will cover building resilience, navigating screen time, mental health, fostering independence, and more essential topics.
Our community has free access to all of these talks. Contact the school office for registration information. If you register for the event, a recording of the talk will be sent to you after the event.
Community Conversations
Drawing on the information presented in the webinars, we will host a series of Community Conversations about adolescent development and mental health.
Tuesday, October 29, 5:30-7:00 pm
Tuesday, December 3, 5:30-7:00 pm
Tuesday, February 11, 5:30-7:00 pm
Tuesday, March 25, 5:30-7:00 pm
2024–2025 ParentEd Topics and Speakers
Jonathan Haidt - The Anxious Generation: Essential Strategies for Rewiring Childhood
With Jonathan Haidt, American social psychologist and author
Oct. 15, 2024, noon–1 p.m. PT
Renowned social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation,” explores the key factors behind the rising rates of anxiety in kids and shares practical steps parents and schools can take to reclaim childhood and protect our children’s mental well-being.
Dr. Alok Kanoja - Level Up: Winning Strategies for Parents of Gamers
With Dr. Alok Kanojia, psychiatrist and parenting coach
Nov. 7, 2024, noon–1 p.m. PT
Recovered gaming addict and Healthy Gamer cofounder Dr. Alok Kanojia will share strategies to protect your kids from the all-too-real dangers of gaming addiction, build healthy gaming habits, establish appropriate limits, and work with — not against — your kids as they play and grow.
Delaney Ruston - Raising Digital Natives: Solutions for Healthy Screen Time Habits
With Delaney Ruston, documentary filmmaker, author and physician
Nov. 19, 2024, 7–8 p.m. PT
“Screenagers” filmmaker and physician Delaney Ruston offers valuable takeaways from her research on the impact of screens and will discuss how to foster open communication with kids about online experiences. Learn how to help your family find balance in the digital age.
Teacher Tom - All in a Day’s Play: Boosting Brain Power Through Play
With Teacher Tom, early childhood educator and author
Dec. 4, 2024, 7–8 p.m. PT
Beloved, Seattle-based educator Teacher Tom imparts insights learned throughout his decades-long career working with preschoolers. Learn his unique approach to child-led, play-based learning, and how you can foster a similar relationship and environment with the children in your life to help them learn and grow.
Dr. Ned Hallowell - Navigating Neurodiversity: Strength-Based Support for ADHD Kids
With Dr. Edward (Ned) Hallowell, psychiatrist and New York Times best-selling author
Jan. 16, 2025, noon–1 p.m. PT
Renowned pediatric psychiatrist Dr. Ned Hallowell shares decades of experience and personal insights about the unique gifts of ADHD and other atypical learners. Learn how to nurture your child's strengths and empower their sense of self-awareness and confidence.
Julie Metzger and Peter Metzger - Confident Conversations: Guiding Kids Through Puberty and Adolescence
With Julie Metzger, founder of Great Conversations, and Peter Metzger, pediatrician
Feb. 5, 2025, 7–8 p.m. PT
Trusted experts Julie Metzger, RN, and Peter Metzger, M.D. of Great Conversations offer confidence-boosting approaches to challenging conversations for parents and kids about puberty, body changes, sex and other growing-up topics.
Robert B. Brooks and Sam Goldstein - The Lost Art of Civility: Raising Respectful Kids
With authors Robert B. Brooks and Sam Goldstein
Feb. 25, 2025, noon–1 p.m. PT
Robert B. Brooks and Sam Goldstein, coauthors of “Tenacity in Children” and “The Power of Resilience,” share powerful insights on one surprising solution to the lost art of civility. Learn how to promote empathy and encourage constructive dialogue at home, school and beyond.
Dr. Ann-Louise T. Lockhart - Harmony at Home: Successfully Navigating Parent-Child Differences
With Dr. Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, pediatric psychologist and parent coach
March 20, 2025, noon–1 p.m. PT
Esteemed pediatric psychologist and parenting coach Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart shares practical strategies for building a strong parent-child connection, while supporting your child's individuality and embracing their differences.
Joe Newman - From Chaos to Calm: Compassionate Discipline for Spirited Kids
With Joe Newman, author and parent coach
April 1, 2025, noon–1 p.m. PT
Experienced parenting coach and “Raising Lions” author Joe Newman offers valuable insights on how to transform distracted and defiant children into kids who are motivated, respectful and attentive. Newman explores the deeper purposes behind conflict and what parents can do to spark change and work toward a calmer home.
Lenore Skenazy - Let Go and Let Grow: Raising Confident, Independent Children
With Lenore Skenazy, author of “Free Range Kids”
May 6, 2025, noon–1 p.m. PT
Author and Let Grow founder Lenore Skenazy shares her personal journey raising confident, independent kids and the growing movement to resist the pressures to be a hyper-involved parent in favor of a more laissez-faire approach to supporting children’s creativity, independence and growth.
Janine Halloran - Nurturing Resilience: Essential Coping Skills for Kids
With Janine Halloran, licensed mental health counselor and founder of Coping Skills for Kids
June 5, 2025, noon–1 p.m. PT
Author and licensed mental health professional Janine Halloran offers parenting approaches to help kids learn to cope with the daily challenges of life, develop resilience and thrive.
One additional speaker will be announced soon!