Early childhood education expert Dr. Mary O’Kane will be visiting libraries in Ballyshannon, Bundoran and Ballybofey/Stranorlar in early March to talk about childhood worries and anxieties.
These talks are being held as part of the Healthy Ireland at your library programme.
Dr. O’Kane said all children worry at times, but for some children, it can be a real challenge to manage their anxieties.
She said “As parents when your child is anxious it can be difficult to know how best to support them. However, parents play an important role in helping their child to both understand and to manage their anxiety. You don’t want to belittle the child’s feelings, but you also don’t want to amplify them”.
In these talks, Dr Mary O’Kane will explain what anxiety is and offers parents practical advice on how to support their children helping them to manage their fears and gain confidence.
Dr Mary O’Kane is a Lecturer in Psychology, Early Childhood Studies and Education. Her research interests include childhood transitions; self-esteem and wellbeing, and the value of play.
She runs a monthly Parenting Slot on Ireland AM discussing a broad range of parenting and childhood issues while also responding to viewers parenting queries. She is also a regular contributor to the Alison Curtis Show on Today FM.
She gives public talks on a range of topics related to child wellbeing, parenting, and education and has appeared on RTE television.
These events are being hosted by Donegal County Library Service and Kevin McCaul, Donegal Co-ordinator for Healthy Ireland at your Library says “we are delighted that Dr O’Kane is associated with the Healthy Ireland Programme. Her inclusion will allow us to promote the wide range of health and well-being resources available in libraries across the county. We look forward to welcoming Dr O’Kane to these 3 events”.
Talks are free and will take place in Ballyshannon Library on Wednesday 6th March at 11:30am, Bundoran Library on Wednesday 6th March at 6:30pm and Twin Towns Library on Thursday 7th March at 11:00am. Dr O’Kane will offer practical tools to help kids grow up confident, resilient and strong.