Page 3 - Brandon Sun - Classes Courses & Recreation 2019

AUGUST 2019 • CLASSES AND COURSES • THE BRANDON SUN 3
Lifelong learning STEPPIN’ TIME

an important

undertaking

BY COLIN SLARK take classes by themselves or with
their kids at their 255 Ninth St.
It may be reasonable to think location.
that after completing the last class Ramsay said that parents are
of your high school or university frequently trying to be good role
career you’ll never set foot inside models, and that by being open
a classroom again. and curious by continuing to
You’ve finished your sentence learn, they can inspire their kids
and paid your dues. You’re pret- to want to learn as well.
ty sure you know everything you “Parents are the first and most
need to. You surely can’t teach an important teacher in a child’s Dancers with Steppin’ Time Dance Studio rehearse their original dance production Elements at the Western Manitoba Cen-
old dog new tricks. life,” Ramsay said. “It’s all about tennial Auditorium on Wednesday evening. The production features over 90 dancers, a large screen for shadow performanc-
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But there are many benefits learning — us as parents learning, es and other special effects earlier this year. (File)
to continuing to learn as your life helping our children to learn.”
progresses, such as meeting new For parents wanting to learn
people and learning new skills. how to be a better parent, the
Because of local organizations family resource centre offers a
and academic institutions, Bran- selection of one-time workshops
donites have plenty of chances to on subjects like potty training and
keep up with lifelong learning. temper tantrums. There are also
While Brandon has plenty of longer, more in-depth courses on
classes available for young people subjects like communication, re-
looking to start a career, Assini- lationship building, setting goals
boine Community College offers and strengthening the relation-
many continuing studies courses ship between parents and chil-
for personal and professional en- dren.
richment. “If as parents we know and
ACC credential programs understand what is reasonable to
co-ordinator Ben Welsh said in expect, it makes family life much
an interview with The Sun that more peaceful to not expect our
the college talks to local business- kids to do things that they devel-
es about their hiring needs when opmentally are not yet ready for,”
considering what courses to offer. Ramsay said. “It saves us the frus-
“I think it’s really valuable to tration as parents and it saves the
continue to upgrade your skills,” children from being set up to do
Welsh said. Those skills can be something they’re not yet capable
soft skills, like how to conduct of.
yourself in an office or profes- It can sometimes be difficult
sional environment. It can also to admit that you need help, but
include technical skills to do a job Ramsay said that parents should
safely and effectively. not be ashamed of being open to
The college is always bringing learning how to be a better parent.
in new instructors to use assets “I think all of us were up
available in the community and against that,” she said. “That
share them with those interested notion that somehow we should
in learning, said Welsh. know this as if children came
However, professional enrich- with an instruction manual when
ment is not the only thing offered they didn’t ... for a whole variety
by ACC. The college also offers of reasons, all of us need to learn
personal enrichment workshops as parents.”
that teach people how to cook or To inquire about classes and
paint, for example. You can also workshops offered by the Elspeth
learn how to select wine pairings Reid Centre, call 204-726-6280.
for food. It’s never too late to learn, and
Welsh said that the Master these two organizations are just a
Gardener program is especial- sampling of the breadth of knowl-
ly popular, especially with older edge available to interested learn-
learners. ers in Brandon and Westman.
Elspeth Reid Family Resource
Centre co-ordinator Lisa Ramsay » cslark@brandonsun.com
told The Sun that parents can » Twitter: @ColinSlark