The cost for each 8-week course at the Bea Romer College for Parental Arts is $240.

Each course qualifies for one credit hour at the University of Colorado at Denver (UCD). If you would like credit for the course toward a college degree, the cost is $310.

The following courses are available for registration:

Parent & Infant

Building Hopeful Relationships: Play, Work & Growth With Your Baby

Course Description

This course is intended for parents and their baby, with the belief that the first three years of life are critical to the healthy development of any child. Through hands-on interactions between the parent(s) and their baby, developmental domains such as sensorimotor, cognitive, language and social-emotional development will be observed and discussed. The course will provide an overview of theoretical, research and practical issues in infant and child development, primarily based on the writing and research from Erik Erikson and his theory of human development. Attention will also be given to the wonderful gifts and challenges of parenting in our society.

Course Objectives

• Observe, listen and respond to the baby in effective ways.
  
• Understand Erikson’s stages of development and integrate that knowledge into everyday interactions as the baby grows.
  
• Enhance the relationship with the baby through observation and play.
  
• Become aware of parental feelings and how responses influence the baby.
  
• Become more confident in parenting skills.
  
• Build a community with classmates for support and encouragement in parenting challenges and accomplishments.

Course Instructor

Jeanine Coleman, MS, Early Childhood Specialist

Jeanine is a doctoral student in the Child, Family and School Psychology program at the University of Denver. She has a master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Southern Illinois University and has taught in a variety of early childhood settings for the past 15 years with children of various abilities. Jeanine works at the Fisher Early Learning Center on the University of Denver campus as the Early Interventionist on the Fisher Inclusion Team. She has worked on several research projects that include exploring the social-emotional development of infants and toddlers with disabilities, early literacy and language curricula, and transdisciplinary play-based assessment. Jeanine is currently working on her dissertation which explores the relationship of children with Fragile X Syndrome and their mothers.

Course: Building Hopeful Relationships: Play, Work & Growth With Your Baby

Grandparenting with Wisdom and Integrity

Course Description

Becoming a grandparent is a major life event, yet this new function is not always clearly defined. Today’s grandparents have many gifts to bring to this experience, and also face many challenges. In this class we will explore both the gifts and challenges in order to deepen our understanding of the vital importance grandparents play in the lives of grandchildren. The research, philosophy, and writings of Erik Erikson provide the foundation for our understanding of the psychosocial development of both children and adults. We will also draw on the work of Arthur Kornhaber, and others, to further delineate the roles, rights and responsibilities of grandparents in today’s society. There will be lectures, role-playing exercises, class-generated activities, and observations of children throughout our work together. 

Course Instructor

Sarah Irvine, MS

Sarah is an educator, developmental psychologist; and human services program designer, developer, and manager. She earned a M.S. degree from Peabody College/Vanderbilt University as a Child Development Specialist, and has done further academic work in adult and community development. Her experience includes teaching, training, and consultation with individuals, as well as with human service agencies, educational institutions, and community programs, all with a wide variety of populations. She combines her academic background and excitement for learning with respect for others to co-create a supportive atmosphere where ideas and communication can flourish. Sarah is also a grandmother.

Other courses will be available soon providing parents and grandparents with more in-depth skills and age appropriate content addressing the most common issues, problems and crisis situations faced by all families.

Course: Grandparenting with Wisdom and Integrity