Lydia H. Soifer, Ph.D.
TELL ME A STORY: BUILDING CHILDREN’S LANGUAGE THROUGH NARRATIVE
| WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2025 7 P.M. |
Learning to tell—and eventually write—stories is a vital part of a child’s language and literacy development. With warmth, humor, and deep expertise, Lydia Soifer will explore how a sense of narrative takes shape in young children and share practical ways to nurture their listening, recounting, and storytelling skills. She will also discuss how children’s narratives can offer insight into their language competence, and how to recognize when a story points to the need for either support or challenge.
Lydia Soifer is a language pathologist and literacy specialist with more than 45 years of experience in clinical and educational settings. She is a faculty member at the Early Intervention Training Institute at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and cofounder of an elementary school for children with learning differences. |
Michael Robb, Ph.D.
PARENTING IN THE AGE OF AI: WHAT MATTERS MOST
| WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14, 2026 7 P.M. |
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping everyday life—and childhood is no exception. From learning apps to voice assistants, children are growing up alongside smart technology. AI can spark creativity and support learning, but it also raises important questions about safety, privacy, and the risk of replacing independent thinking with digital shortcuts.
Michael Robb, head of research at Common Sense Media and a nationally recognized expert on kids and technology, will share practical strategies for raising thoughtful, responsible users of AI—curious, informed, and grounded in real-world values. At this pivotal moment, it’s more important than ever to encourage hands-on play, open conversations, and critical thinking. In a world shaped by AI, your guidance is their greatest tool. |
Deborah Roffman
RIGHT FROM THE START: DISCUSSING SEXUALITY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
| WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2026 AT 7 P.M. |
“Where did I come from?” and “How did I get here?” These classic questions from young children can catch adults off guard—but they reflect the natural curiosity children have about how the world works.
With wit and empathy, nationally recognized sexuality educator Deborah Roffman will offer practical guidance on talking with children about bodies, babies, and sexuality in age-appropriate, scientifically accurate ways that feel comfortable for everyone involved. She is the author of Talk to Me First, a trusted resource for parents, and The Science of Babies, a picture book crafted to answer children’s questions with clarity and care. Named one of TIME’s “Top 16 Parenting Educators for the 21st Century,” her mission is to help every child have trusted adults to turn to for honest, thoughtful conversations about sex and growing up. |
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