Colorado State University Hosts Community Lecture on Nurturing Young Children

Colorado State University will host a lecture Feb. 24 on nurturing young children as part of its "Families at Five" series, a new program designed to help community members enhance family relationships.

The presentation will be given by Pat Johnson, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Johnson will provide information on creative activities to do at home to promote children’s growth, development and creativity. The session also will offer parents an opportunity to exchange ideas.

The event is free and runs from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 144 of the Gifford Building on campus, 502 W. Lake St. Parking for the event is free in the "A" lot to the west of the Gifford Building.

Children can attend the presentation with their parents or they can participate in a free children’s program. The children’s programs for ages 3-6 and ages 7-11 will be centered on the theme, "What am I good at?"

The "Families at Five" program features free monthly presentations on the fourth Thursday of each month. Topics include parenting strategies, building strong marriages, preventing adolescent substance abuse and caring for aging family members. The program is sponsored by the Colorado State University Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic within the College of Applied Human Sciences. The spring schedule for the series follows:

Feb. 24

  • Nurturing Young Children; speaker: Pat Johnson, Ph.D., professor and extension specialist
  • Children’s Activity: "What am I Good At?"

March 23

  • Seven Principles for Successful Relationships; speaker: Shelley Haddock, M.S., director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic
  • Children’s Activity: "Proud of My Feelings!"

April 27

  • Prevent and Stop Adolescent Substance Abuse; speaker: Kevin Lyness, Ph.D., professor
  • Children’s Activity: "Exploring My Feeling"

May 25

  • Caring for Aged Parents; speaker: Clif Barber, Ph.D., professor
  • Children’s Activity: "You and Me Talking"

For more information, contact Lauren Levine at (970) 491-5991.