Join us on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM for a virtual evening of free workshops for schools and families presented by parenting educators and experts.
There will be two sessions, the first from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM and the second from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
All sessions will be facilitated in English. If you would like instructions on enabling Zoom-translated captions, please select the option below.
<< Session A: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM >>
Big Feelings & Emotional Regulation
When young children have big feelings, parents are often trying to do three things at once: help their child feel understood, teach emotional skills, and stay calm themselves. No pressure, right?
This workshop helps caregivers understand what’s actually happening in a child’s brain and body during emotional moments. You’ll learn practical, realistic tools to support children through strong emotions while also feeling more grounded and confident as a parent or caregiver. The goal is not to eliminate big feelings, but to make them more manageable and build calmer, more connected family relationships over time.
Facilitator: Denise Menger
Denise Menger, known as Teacher Denise in the preschool community, is a co-op teacher at Carlmont Parents Nursery School, where she works closely with preschoolers and their caregivers around emotional development and regulation. She is also the parent of three children ages 11, 14, and 16, giving her firsthand insight into how emotional regulation grows and changes over time.
Estate & Trust Planning
Estate planning can feel overwhelming or easy to put off, especially when life is already busy. This workshop is designed to demystify the process and help families understand why planning ahead matters and how to do it thoughtfully.
Participants will learn the basics of estate and trust planning, including how trusts work, how to avoid probate, and how to ensure assets and responsibilities are handled according to your wishes. Common misconceptions and planning mistakes will also be discussed, along with how plans should evolve as families and circumstances change.
Facilitator: Lauren Rios, Esq.
Lauren Rios is an estate planning attorney and founder of the Law Office of Lauren Rios. As a mother and business owner, she takes a client-centered, relationship-based approach, helping families plan with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
Five Years of Play
Play is not a break from learning; it is how young children learn best. This workshop explores why the first five years of life are a critical window for play-based learning and how everyday experiences support long-term development.
Through play, children build essential skills including language, early literacy and math concepts, emotional regulation, problem-solving, creativity, and confidence. Grounded in developmental research, this session explains why early academic pressure does not improve long-term outcomes and how protecting play creates the strongest foundation for lifelong learning.
Facilitator: Rebecca Nowlen
Rebecca Nowlen is a California educator with over 20 years of experience in early childhood education and cooperative school leadership. She is a former co-op director, certified Hand in Hand Parenting instructor, and parent of two co-op children. Her work centers on building strong relationships and honoring children’s developmental readiness.
Discovering Loose Parts: Playful Learning for Curious Minds
Loose parts are everyday materials that children can move, combine, and use in endless ways, and they are powerful tools for creativity, problem-solving, and deep engagement.
In this workshop, caregivers will learn how to discover and use loose parts at home and outdoors, including household items, recycled materials, and natural objects found on neighborhood walks. We’ll explore how to set up inviting play spaces, organize materials for independence, and support safe, meaningful play without overwhelm.
Facilitator: Lisa Daly
Lisa Daly is a nationally recognized early childhood educator, author, and advocate with over 40 years of experience. She is Professor Emerita at Folsom Lake College and co-author of the award-winning Loose Parts series. Lisa’s work inspires educators and families to embrace creativity, inquiry, and play as essential to learning.
<< Session B: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM >>
Five Things That Kept Your Child Awake Last Night
Sleep struggles are common for young children and exhausting for parents. This practical, parent-friendly workshop is designed for families with children ages 6 months through 5 years who want to better understand disrupted sleep, frequent wake-ups, and bedtime challenges.
We’ll explore the most common reasons young children struggle with sleep, review realistic sleep needs by age, and share gentle, evidence-informed strategies families can use right away. There will also be time for parent questions so you can get guidance tailored to your child and your situation. The goal is not perfect sleep, but more understanding, confidence, and rest for the whole family.
Facilitator: Jennifer Denzel
Jennifer Denzel has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education and is a certified Gentle Sleep Coach. She is the founder of Rested Family Child Sleep Consulting and supports families with children from birth through age five using compassionate, developmentally appropriate sleep approaches.
Parenting in the Age of Screens
Screens are part of everyday life, for work, learning, entertainment, and connection. Parents are tasked with helping children build healthy technology habits while also navigating their own relationships with devices.
This workshop explores how technology affects children’s developing brains and why boundaries matter, without fear-mongering or unrealistic expectations. You’ll leave with a thoughtful, balanced framework for introducing and managing screens in ways that protect children’s development while recognizing the realities of modern family life.
Facilitator: David Maddalena, LMFT
David Maddalena is a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a longtime co-op parent. He and his wife, Anghelika, a co-op director, raised two children to adulthood within the co-op community. Before becoming a therapist, David worked as a writer in the tech industry and is the author of (Low) Tech Writer, a collection of essays that reflect his thoughtful, intentionally conflicted relationship with technology. He brings both professional expertise and lived experience to conversations about helping families navigate screens with intention and care.
Loving Limits: Setting Boundaries That Build Safety and Connection
Setting limits with young children can feel challenging, especially when emotions run high. This workshop is designed for parents and caregivers of children from birth through age five who want guidance that feels supportive, realistic, and developmentally appropriate.
We’ll explore why clear, consistent boundaries are essential for building trust, self-regulation, and emotional security. Participants will learn practical strategies for setting limits rooted in connection rather than control, while also reflecting on how their own emotional regulation shapes everyday interactions.
Facilitator: Gabriela Buendia, LMFT
Gabriela Buendia is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health with over 20 years of experience. She has led Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation programs, taught at Pacific Oaks College, and currently supports educators and families across San Mateo and Santa Clara counties through trainings and consultation.