Over 100 parents, community members and educators attended Dr. David Walsh’s presentation on Saturday, October 17, held at Thurston High School Auditorium. Dr. Walsh is a renowned author of nine books, founder and president of the National Institute on Media and the Family. Dr. Walsh presented strategies for parents to meet the challenges of raising children in our modern world highlighted from book No: Why Kids -of All Ages- Need to Hear it and Ways Parents Can Say It.
His research has established him as an expert in the field of the affects of media on student behavior. The presentation offered a wealth of information and understanding for parents to begin meaningful conversations about raising children. Dr. Walsh said, “My research has led me to the conclusion that my parents and their generation did not have it easier in raising children, but that they were surrounded and supported by a culture that understood the meaning of saying NO.” Parents from past generations who said no to their children were providing the lesson to children that they could not always get what they wanted.
Dr. Walsh continued, “I believe that today’s parents are no less motivated to raising successful children. However, parents of today are surrounded by a culture that always says yes. The “yes” culture supports more, faster, now and does not support teaching children the importance of self-discipline through delayed gratification. The use of media has promoted the more, faster, now epidemic, which has infiltrated our society and raises concerns about the workforce of the future.
Dr. Walsh commended the efforts of Redford Township community on taking the lead in providing a community event offering the opportunity to educate parents about the effects media has on their children. “As far as I am aware this is the first time the presentation has been held as a community-wide event with members from schools, municipalities and community organizations working together to spread the message about the effects of media on student behavior.”
What can parents do? Get involved in the NO movement, and attend the book club discussion sessions offered at your child’s school. If you were unable to attend Dr. Walsh’s presentation watch the video by clicking the links below. Fisher Elementary principal, Brian Galdes comments, “ I am asking all of the Fisher parents to read the book and take part in the discussion to help our students succeed.”
The NO movement encourages parents and guardians to join the book clubs and engage in meaningful conversations in facilitated groups. The discussions will focus on the implementation of strategies offered in Dr. David Walsh’s book to assist parents in raising successful children. IN October, several teachers and parents from South Redford and Redford Union School districts were trained in facilitating the book club discussions.
The increase in facilitators will allow Redford Township to offer more book club discussions in the next several months. Parents and guardians interested in joining a book club session should contact the building principals for more information.
