You’re Kidding Me program goes digital

Lake Macquarie City Council’s You’re Kidding Me program is heading online, with a series of free workshops for families to stream at home.

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The digital move is a response to COVID-19, and a way for parents to access information in a time when it’s needed more than ever.

Kicking off 12 May to coincide with National Families Week, this year’s You’re Kidding Me will include five online workshops aimed at both parents and their children.

Each workshop will cover a different topic, including cooking and healthy eating, children’s emotions during the current pandemic, music, and STEM learning.

Council’s Community Planner Jess Salvador said it was important to create a program that focused on supporting families and creating stronger communities.

You’re Kidding Me is in its sixth year, and with usual activities not possible with current restrictions, Ms Salvador said the team behind the event had worked hard to tailor it to go online.

“The current situation has seen more parents at home with their kids,” Ms Salvador said.

“We’ve designed our workshops to be informative as well as enjoyable. There’s a mix of sessions where parents can learn new skills, as well as interactive activities where kids can get involved too.”

The first session will be led by nutritionist Mandy Dos Santos of Little People Nutrition, who will guide families through a tutorial on how to cook an easy and healthy lunch.

Little People Nutrition will also be offering a Q&A session on 19 May, where parents can ask questions about getting the right food for their children’s growing bodies.

Peaceful Playful and Present, a paediatric occupational therapy service, will host a session on 14 May that will focus on supporting children’s emotions towards Covid-19.

There will also be a workshop on STEM, from international presenter Niki Buchan and a musical session from Julie Logan Music, a regular at previous You’re Kidding Me events.

Lake Macquarie Cr Mayor Kay Fraser welcomed You’re Kidding Me’s new format.

“Children’s development is something that is very important to me,” Cr Fraser said.and it’s wonderful that we’re able adapt You’re Kidding Me to an online platform and provide as many resources as we can to the community,” Cr Fraser said.

“The program is in its sixth year now and we know how much local parents value the information and support, which I think is even more pertinent given the wide-reaching impact that COVID-19 is having on our community.”

You’re Kidding Me workshops are free, but each session has a maximum attendance, so bookings are essential. All sessions will be run via Zoom, registered participants will receive the link to the session the day before.

Go to lakemac.com.au for bookings and more information.