Parenting with the Brain in Mind: 6 Weeks to Stronger Connections
Event Description:
The Whole-Brain Child series is a 6-week experiential group designed to help parents, caregivers, and adults understand how the brain develops and how to foster emotional, social, and cognitive growth in children. Each week explores practical strategies from Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson’s book, including brain integration, emotional regulation, mindful discipline, and strengthening family connections.
Participants will learn tools to respond calmly during challenging moments, support healthy decision-making, promote empathy, and build stronger, more connected relationships. Through guided exercises, discussion, and reflection, this series empowers caregivers to apply brain-based approaches in daily life for lasting positive impact.
Target Audience:
This series is ideal for parents, caregivers, and adults who want to better understand how children’s brains develop and learn practical, evidence-based strategies to support emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and resilience. It is especially beneficial for those seeking tools to handle challenging behaviors, improve communication, and foster connection within the family.
Dates & Times:
Week 1: Monday, November 10th, 2025
Week 2: Monday, November 17th , 2025
Week 3: Monday, November 24th, 2025
Week 4: Monday, December 1st, 2025
Week 5: Monday December 8th, 2025
Week 6: Monday, December 15th, 2025
Location:
This group will be held via our HIPAA compliant telehealth platform.
Pricing:
$30 per adult for the entire 6 week series, due upon registration
Facilitator Information:
This group will be led by Jenni Roney, student therapist, under supervision of a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor or AAMFT Supervisor Candidate at Friends University.
Week 3: Building the Staircase of the Mind: Integrating the Upstairs
Session Focus:
Learn how to support children’s “upstairs brain” (thinking, decision-making, self-regulation) while soothing the “downstairs brain” (emotional, reactive, survival-focused). This session focuses on helping children climb their own staircase to better emotional and behavioral control.
Session Purpose:
Children often act from the downstairs brain when stressed, scared, or frustrated, which can lead to emotional outbursts or impulsive behavior. Helping them access their upstairs brain fosters problem-solving, empathy, and self-regulation. This understanding equips caregivers to guide children through challenges with patience and effectiveness.
Session Objectives:
Participants will:
Understand the difference between the upstairs brain and downstairs brain, including their functions and limitations.
Recognize behaviors that indicate a child is operating from the downstairs brain.
Learn strategies to engage the upstairs brain through calm connection and problem-solving techniques.
Practice tools to help children reflect, make choices, and regulate emotions.
Apply foundational skills from Weeks 1 and 2 to support ongoing brain integration and resilience.
Resources for this Group:
This group is based on the book The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson Buy the Book Here (optional)
Another great book that complements this group is The Whole-Brain Child Workbook: Practical Exercises, Worksheets and Activities to Nurture Developing Minds by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson Buy the Workbook Here (optional)
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