Tough Topics: Building Confidence for the Conversations That Matter.

.Choose one or all of the sessions.  An online option will be available for each class.

Session 1: Building a Foundation for Hard Conversations

Topic: Creating Connection Before Correction

Summary:
Parents will learn how to foster trust so children feel safe bringing difficult questions and experiences to them. The session explores active listening, emotional validation, responding instead of reacting, and creating a family culture where no topic is off limits.

Session 2: Talking with Children About Reproductive Health and Growing Bodies

Topic: Age-Appropriate Conversations from Early Childhood Through Adolescence

Summary:
Parents will gain confidence discussing anatomy, puberty, consent, healthy relationships, and sexuality in ways that are honest, accurate, and appropriate for each developmental stage. The emphasis is on many small conversations over time rather than one “big talk.”

Session 3: Navigating Big Emotions and Mental Well-Being

Topic: Helping Children Cope with Stress, Anxiety, Grief, and Strong Feelings

Summary:
This session helps parents recognize emotional distress, normalize conversations about mental health, and teach healthy coping skills. Parents will learn how to support resilience while recognizing when professional help may be needed.

Session 4: Safety in Today’s World

Topic: Preparing Children for Challenging Situations

Summary:
Parents will explore how to talk with children about personal safety without creating unnecessary fear. Topics include online safety, peer pressure, bullying, abuse prevention, media literacy, and responding to emergencies.

Kari J Fischer
Kari J Fischer

Instructor

View Kari J Fischer's Other Courses

Kari is the Willmar ECFE teacher. Her favorite part of her job is watching, supporting, and encouraging children as they learn through play. 'Play' is a child's work and we as adults need to encourage that the best we can!

Rachel Jeppesen
Rachel Jeppesen

Instructor

View Rachel Jeppesen's Other Courses

Rachel is the Parent Educator for ECFE.  She has been a teacher and administrator in the early childhood world for over 20 years.  As a classroom teacher art, music, literature, science and fun are staples in her teaching.  Walking alongside parents as they raise our future generations is a joy and privilege.

Nadia Milani
Nadia Milani

Instructor

4 Options
F26-EC-TT1
Starts Thu, Oct 1st 2026 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Su
M
Tu
W
Th
F
Sa
Jefferson Learning Center
Price: $0.00 - Free, but must pre-register.
Enroll Now
Instructors:
  • Kari J Fischer
  • Rachel Jeppesen
  • Nadia Milani
DateTimeLocation
Thu, Oct 1st 2026 7:00 - 8:00 PM Jefferson Learning Center
Map / Location
Map showing this section's location
F26-EC-TT2
Starts Thu, Oct 8th 2026 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Su
M
Tu
W
Th
F
Sa
Jefferson Learning Center
Price: $0.00 - Free, but must pre-register.
Enroll Now
Instructors:
  • Kari J Fischer
  • Rachel Jeppesen
  • Nadia Milani
DateTimeLocation
Thu, Oct 8th 2026 7:00 - 8:00 PM Jefferson Learning Center
Map / Location
Map showing this section's location
F26-EC-TT3
Starts Thu, Oct 22nd 2026 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Su
M
Tu
W
Th
F
Sa
Jefferson Learning Center
Price: $0.00 - Free, but must pre-register.
Enroll Now
Instructors:
  • Kari J Fischer
  • Rachel Jeppesen
  • Nadia Milani
DateTimeLocation
Thu, Oct 22nd 2026 7:00 - 8:00 PM Jefferson Learning Center
Map / Location
Map showing this section's location
F26-EC-TT4
Starts Thu, Oct 29th 2026 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Su
M
Tu
W
Th
F
Sa
Jefferson Learning Center
Price: $0.00 - Free, but must pre-register.
Enroll Now
Instructors:
  • Kari J Fischer
  • Rachel Jeppesen
  • Nadia Milani
DateTimeLocation
Thu, Oct 29th 2026 7:00 - 8:00 PM Jefferson Learning Center
Map / Location
Map showing this section's location