Aware Parenting Workshops
The Aware Parenting Institute is an international organization with certified instructors in 24 countries who are helping to spread this philosophy around the world. Aware Parenting is based on the work of Aletha Solter, Ph.D., a Swiss American developmental psychologist, international speaker, consultant, and author of six books, which have been translated into many languages. She is recognized internationally as an expert on attachment, trauma, and non-punitive discipline, and has given talks and lead workshops for parents and professionals in 17 countries.
If you would like to invite Dr. Solter to give a virtual or in-person presentation, please contact her by e-mail (info@awareparenting.com.)
Three-minute video about Aletha Solter's workshops
Presentations by Aware Parenting instructors
The certified Aware Parenting instructors around the world offer lectures and workshops for parents on a variety of topics based on the Aware Parenting approach. Please contact these people directly for information about Aware Parenting activities in their area.
List of countries with Aware Parenting Instructors. (Click on the links for each country for more information.)
Presentations by Aletha Solter
April 13, 2023: Full-day workshop in Kaunas, Lithuania on "How children heal from stress and trauma"
Stress and trauma early in life can alter children's neurobiological systems and lead to anxiety, behavior problems, hyperactivity, attachment disorders, sleep problems, learning difficulties, depression, and physical illnesses. Luckily, children know how to heal from trauma if we give them the opportunity. We will review the major sources and symptoms of stress and trauma during infancy and early childhood, and discuss the conditions required for children to restore emotional health. The focus will be on creating emotional safety and facilitating children's spontaneous stress-release mechanisms of crying, play, and laughter.
This workshop is for parents as well as professionals (teachers, psychologists, therapists, counselors, doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.). The information applies to children from birth to age 12.
Date: Thursday, April 13, 2023
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
This will be an in-person workshop in English with Lithuanian translation.
Click here for more information in Lithuanian or contact Aušra by email at zpstudija@gmail.com (or by telephone at +370 610 45 805).
Click here for information about Aware Parenting in Lithuania.
April 16, 2023: Four-hour workshop in Vilnius, Lithuania on "Discipline without punishments or rewards"
Learn how to raise cooperative, responsible, and self-disciplined children without being too authoritarian or too permissive. Topics include the pitfalls of punishments and rewards, the basic techniques of democratic discipline, and the three reasons for behavior problems. Participants will learn how to change unwanted behavior by recognizing and meeting children’s needs.
This workshop is for parents as well as professionals (teachers, psychologists, therapists, counselors, doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.). The information applies to children from birth to age 12.
Date: Sunday, April 16, 2023
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
This will be an in-person workshop in English. It will not be translated into Lithuanian.
Click here for more information in Lithuanian and registration information.
Click here for information about Aware Parenting in Lithuania.
September 30, 2023: Full-day Zoom workshop on "Helping children heal from stress and trauma"
Stress and trauma early in life can alter children's neurobiological systems and lead to anxiety, aggressive behavior, hyperactivity, attachment disorders, sleep problems, learning difficulties, depression, and physical illnesses. Luckily, children know how to heal from trauma if we give them the opportunity. You will learn how to create an atmosphere of emotional safety in which babies and children can restore emotional health. The focus will be on facilitating children's spontaneous stress-release mechanisms of play, laughter, crying, and raging.
This workshop is of interest to parents and other caregivers, therapists, psychologists, teachers, social workers, and health professionals. The information applies to children from birth to age 12.
Time: 9 AM to 4 PM PDT (U.S. Pacific Daylight Time). There will be a one-hour break from 12 to 1pm.
Fee: USD $60 per person.
Location: virtual Zoom presentation. This presentation will not be recorded.
Sponsored by Santa Barbara Community College School of Extended Learning. Attendance is limited to 24 participants.
Online registration will begin on June 29, 2023. A registration link will be posted here. It will not be possible to register before that date or make reservations.
Self-paced courses based on Aletha Solter's books
If you are a psychologist, therapist, or social worker in the U.S., you can receive continuing education units for courses based on two of Aletha Solter's books (The Aware Baby and Tears and Tantrums). These courses consist of a copy of the book for you to study on your own, a multiple choice online exam. and a printable certificate. They are sponsored by the Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences. These courses were not created by Aletha Solter, and they are not offered through the Aware Parenting Institute. Note: The AATBS website is accessible only to residents of the United States.
Course about The Aware Baby
Course about Tears and Tantrums
Comments from workshop organizers and sponsors
"I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Aletha for making the Aware Parenting conference in London possible. It was absolutely amazing. I was moved by the amount of people who came to hear her speak, especially those who travelled so far to come to London. I was overwhelmed by the warmth and kindness shared among the attendees and blown away by the content of Aletha's workshops."
—Rebecca Sheikh (Founder of Flourishing Childhood, London)
"Thank you for your great presentations. The feedback from your talks was uniformly glowing. You're a pro!"
—Ed Hofmann-Smith, ND (The Natural Childbirth and Family Clinic, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.)
"Thank you so much for your workshop. It was incredibly inspiring to me, and I know also to the others who attended."
—Jenny Hornung (Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.)
"As a mother and therapist working in Johannesburg, South Africa, the workshops were a reminder of how crucial it is to keep our children's spirits intact, right from the beginning. I was reminded of so many things, but especially the importance of connecting, holding and unconditionally allowing our children to express what they feel. Thank you for travelling so far to share your teachings with us."
—Michele Wolhuter (Therapist, Johannesburg, South Africa)
"Thank you so much for your time with us in Sedona. Feedback from parents continues to come in on how helpful the workshop was for them, and how much they valued what you offered. I am very pleased to say that these families have told me that they are already putting to use your suggestions... The moms have expressed how thrilled they are to have partners who now understand and are genuinely excited about putting Aware Parenting practices to work within their families. What a truly valuable gift Aware Parenting is in a world in which we have lost touch with our innate nurturing instincts."
—Charity Cygal (Director of the Red Earth Waldorf Kindergarten, Sedona, Arizona, U.S.A.)
"I am so grateful for you coming to Australia to spread Aware Parenting further round the globe. In particular, I was so impressed with your presentation style and how you found a way to include humour, research, your own experiences, practical suggestions, and also the experiences of the participants with their own children as well as with their parents. Your workshops reconnected me to the deep trust in each baby and child to do what they need to do, given enough aware attention."
—Marion Rose, Ph.D. (Psychospiritual Parenting, Byron Bay, Australia)
"Congratulations for your elegantly clear presentation at the San Francisco Congress."
—David Chamberlain, Ph.D. in Psychology (President, Board of Directors, Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health)
"I have gotten such wonderful feedback from those who attended the Florida workshops. You have not only changed our lives but the lives of many who attended...We feel so much more understanding, knowing now how our son will attempt to heal from various stresses and traumas. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, perplexed or angry, we feel more calm and thrilled to have some parenting tools to help him heal. The patience this kind of knowledge gives us is just amazing. It has also helped us to understand ourselves so much better."
—Kathy Brown (Founder, Parenting the Soul, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.A.)
"I had the occasion to meet people who told me that they appreciated
your talk in our Swiss village very much. As for myself, I was touched by the simplicity with which you presented the subject and gave your examples. I thank you for this model of authenticity that spoke to the heart of everyone."
— Christiane Raboud (President of Parents' Association, Grimisuat, Switzerland)
"The people who came to your workshop in Geneva had nothing but good things to say about it. One woman told me that her husband said she was so much calmer and happier, and he asked what was going on. She replied that she felt so different about her child's crying that it improved her whole attitude."
—Lisa Lindsey-Brandli (Kindermusic teacher, Geneva, Switzerland)
"Your talk in my town in Austria was wonderful! The audience was
fascinated by your method."
—Monika Lintner (Director, Parenting Center, Kirchdorf, Austria)
"I knew many of the 200 people at your Brussels workshop and people have been calling me to give me their positive impressions. Thank you for
having opened up this enormous field of exploration and help for families. I wish you all the best, and specifically to reach more and more people in order to revolutionize our way of raising children. This is what a revolution is, isn't it? It's not always with noise and violence. Your actions are a part of this subtle revolution that I hope will make humanity more human, more aware."
—Monique Somers (Therapist, Waterloo, Belgium)
"Your workshops here in the Netherlands were a real success...I liked your illustrations, the content, and your enthusiasm."
— Hanneke van Hasselt (Therapist, Velp, The Netherlands)
"Wow! The San Francisco workshop was a fabulous success in all respects. You are a phenomenally experienced, knowledgeable, and charming speaker, and everyone learned a lot. Thank you so much."
—Margo Braver (San Francisco, California, U.S.A.)
"Mexican parents were very happy to have you in Mexico. You opened hearts for respect and love for children."
—Renée Guindi Cohen (Director of Música Prenatal, Mexico City, Mexico)
Comments from workshop participants
(Full-day Zoom workshop participant)"Thank you for the incredible workshop. Your work is such a gift, and I found myself filled with laughter and tears throughout the day. Your storytelling is hilarious and engaging, and you are remarkably gifted at teaching this tender content in a direct and compassionate way. My spouse and I say to each other nearly daily how grateful we are to have found Aware Parenting. It has guided our parenting and also invited us into deeper healing and connection with ourselves and each other. We often hear people comment on how joyful and alert our daughter is and the deep eye contact she makes with them."
(From Santa Barbara, California) "Thank you so much for the super helpful workshop yesterday! It felt so good to feel renewed in my confidence and clarity about being with my kids in a way I feel better about already. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will be keeping my eyes peeled for another opportunity to soak up your wisdom and sweet testimonies. I so loved your stories, and the way you hold children in your heart. Thank you for this beautiful work that you do and share."
(From Santa Barbara, California) "After the advanced workshop, a few more things clicked for me, and I have been really encouraging my daughter (age two) to express more feelings... Lately, she has been telling me, 'Mommy is better mommy,' and 'Mommy is new mommy.' I thought I was doing pretty well before, but apparently she has noticed quite a difference. So I am grateful to you."
(From the UK) "I feel privileged that I could attend your workshops in London and hear directly from you about your work and your experiences with children and parents. I valued your empathetic and realistic tone. I felt nurtured."
(From South Africa) "By the end of the workshop in Johannesburg I made an internal commitment to never spank my sons again. For the first time I could understand that such authoritarian methods are actually disrespectful and harmful to children."
(From France) "Your workshop in Paris was an outstanding experience to me. I really enjoyed attending! I was surprised how openly participants responded to your workshop and discussed their own childhoods among each other."
(From Spain) "Many thanks to Aletha Solter for everything she has taught us in order to respect all the needs of our children." "The workshop has helped me become a better human being in all the facets of my life as a therapist and mother."
(From Canada) "I am a child protection social worker in Canada. I recently attended two days of workshops with Aletha. Not only am I preaching her words of wisdom to all my clients who struggle with parenting, but I have changed my own parenting style. No more punishments or rewards for my kids....just love, patience, guidance and understanding. Thank you, Aletha!"