Essence Dennis |Staff Writer|
Project CUIDAR (Spanish for to take care of) is offering a multitude of parenting classes to those in the Inland Empire for their 10th year of operation.
CUIDAR is a First 5 funded program at CSUSB which is, “A county agency that funds programs that serve young children age 0-5 and their families,” according to Laura Kamptner, PH.D., co-director of CUIDAR.
“To promote the developmental health and well-being of children and their families, particularly in the inland empire,” said Professor Mark Agars Director of the Institute for Child Development and Family Relations when asked about CUIDAR’s goal.
“CUIDAR is a course that consists of 12 sessions that meet twice a week for about two and a half hours, and four of the six classes are in English and two will be in Spanish,” says Co-director Laura Gonzalez-Ramirez.
Students should take part in this program rather than going elsewhere to work because of the fact that it’s an, “Amazing opportunity to gain both experience, skills and knowledge in child development and it’s all available right here on campus,” said Agars.
There are multiple departments a student could work under. For instance, there’s a research aspect and a hands on guide to understanding children, so interning for project CUIDAR is great for almost any major.
“I would recommend interning for them because it’s a good experience, you’re going to work with other people; it teaches you responsibility and punctuality which is good for the job market,” said grad student Maritza Morales.
CUIDAR is based on widespread research to conclude that unfortunate parenting styles are associated with an “increased probability of child abuse” and many behavior issues in children which include “depression, hyperactivity, destructive behavior, delinquency, juvenile violence, etc,” according to icdfr.csusb.edu.
CUIDAR is helping to eliminate these factors by training students and providing parenting classes in order to prevent the serious consequences listed above.
The program is also an eye opener for students who want to learn more about human development.
Student Kimberly Gonzalez Navarro, Psychology and Human Developmental major feels as though the enrichment groups held within this program are most benefiting and explains, “If there’s anything project CUIDAR emphasizes it is kids; it’s being able to undergo developmental practices for kids and being able to teach that to the parents who may not have the tools to better their children with.”
Some students may feel project CUIDAR doesn’t pertain to them, but Biochemistry Major Giana Ford believes, “It seems like a positive program that all majors should get involved.”
Although the program is primarily geared towards parents of children through age five, they have different enrichment groups that are free for kids 3-5 years-old and a day care that has trained staff.
For the older children that range from 6-12 years old, there are caregivers available as well as parenting classes that are to be held.
All of these groups come with a small meal for the parents and their children, according to news.csusb.edu.
Project CUIDAR began holding its parenting classes every Friday from Jan. 17 until Mar. 21 from 3:00-5:30 p.m. in the Social and Behavioral Sciences building located in room 217.
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