Hands-on program at Aga Love Center covers infant development, play techniques and accident prevention; all participants said they would recommend it to others
Dongdaemun-gu in Seoul has wrapped up its "Grandparent Class," a maternal and child health program designed for grandparents — and prospective grandparents — who are raising or preparing to care for infants and toddlers.
The two-day program, held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Aga Love Center in Dongdaemun-gu, was designed to help grandparents understand infant and toddler development, learn age-appropriate caregiving and play techniques, and build confidence in looking after their grandchildren.
The curriculum covered understanding infant and toddler developmental stages, play methods suited to brain development, activities using finger games, nursery songs and instruments, easy hands-on play ideas for the home, and safety precautions and accident-prevention tips.
The program also addressed differences between past and present parenting styles, the reasons conflicts arise between grandparents and their adult children over childcare, strategies for reducing those conflicts through better communication, and the challenges today's parents face in raising children. The sessions aimed to help grandparents better understand the parenting environment of the younger generation and communicate more smoothly within the family.
The classes drew an enthusiastic response. One grandmother who attended on the first day found the content so useful that she urged her husband, who had been staying in another part of the country, to join her — and the couple attended together the following day. Some grandparents traveled from outside Seoul to take part after their adult children strongly encouraged them to attend.
A post-program survey found that every participant was satisfied with the classes and said they would recommend them to others.
Participants shared their impressions: "I finally understand why my child finds parenting so hard," "I had no idea when babies smile or cry, but now I feel like I understand their development," "I'm no longer afraid of the time I spend looking after my grandchild," "I think I can become an even better grandmother," and "I want to come back again next time."
The Aga Love Center in Dongdaemun-gu runs more than 300 maternal and child health programs a year, open to expectant mothers, new mothers and their families. Classes are offered not only on weekday mornings but also on weekday evenings and on weekends each month, broadening access for working adults and families. The grandparent class is one of several family-participation programs the center offers to provide tailored parenting information to different family members.
Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choi Dong-min said he hoped the program would help grandparents gain a deeper understanding of childcare and feel more confident, while also easing the parenting burden on the younger generation. "We will continue to provide family-friendly maternal and child health services so that children, parents and grandparents can build a happy caregiving environment together," he said.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
