Parent Education Fall Event:
When: Monday, November 2nd from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Community Room, Weston Public Library
What: The Lost Art of Downtime: What Kids Learn When Nothing Is Planned
Today’s children have access to more activities, enrichment, entertainment, and stimulation than ever before. While these opportunities can create wonderfully rich childhood experiences, what might be lost when there is little time left for simply…nothing?
We often think of downtime as time when learning isn’t happening; in fact it is where children practice many of the skills we most want them to develop: independence, creativity, flexibility, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and navigating relationships. It is also where families have the opportunity to practice being a family. It is the space in which they build connection and set the foundation for shared values. It is where a family becomes a team.
Join Dr. Stacie Bancroft, a renowned behavioral analyst and child development expert, for a practical, research-informed conversation about why boredom and unstructured time matter, why downtime can initially be so difficult for today’s children (and parents), and how parents can intentionally make room for it while helping children learn to use it well. This presentation is brought to you, free of charge, by the Weston PTO Parent Education Committee.
For questions, please contact Vinda Souza, Taran Pawar, or Hannah Crawford.
About Stacie Bancroft, PhD:
Stacie Bancroft, PhD, BCBA, LABA is the founder and CEO of Growing Joy Consulting, a behavioral consulting practice that helps families, schools, and organizations navigate the real-life challenges of raising and supporting children. With 25 years of experience in behavior analysis and child development, Stacie specializes in translating the science of behavior and learning into practical, compassionate strategies that actually work in everyday life. Her work focuses on helping children build the skills they need to thrive while helping parents create the connected, joyful family life they envisioned. She is the Executive Director of the state professional organization for behavior analysts and has been on faculty at Regis College, Northeastern University, and Western New England University. Her work is published in multiple scientific journals and she has presented at conferences across the country. Stacie and her team work with schools and families across MA.