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Russian Kaleidoscope
Russian-born educator Sergei Shapoval, dressed in traditional Russian folk costume, gives a highly entertaining and enjoyable multimedia presentation for children on Russian culture, featuring Russian traditions, folk instruments and folk dancing, and other hands on learning. This is truly a superb presentation, with wonderful music, and great fun for the children, who are asked to participate. Sergei gets rave reviews from families who have attended this event. Russian Kaleidoscope is held at the Discovery Center and is open to the entire community.
Moon Festival
We celebrate this Chinese fall festival at Chesterfield Park pavilion. Everyone brings a pot-luck dish to share, and the meal ends with traditional Chinese Mooncakes. We admire the rising harvest moon, and listen to the story of Chang E, and make music with Chinese instruments. The music accompanies a parade of children, dressed in traditional outfits, carrying brightly lit red lanterns in the dusk, a beautiful sight!
Heart of the Matter Seminar
Members of IAF have called this event the single most important thing we do. This is a superb all-day seminar on parenting the child adopted beyond early infancy- the child who waited. Two entertaining and informative adoptive Momssoci, al worker and teacher- give an outstanding presentation that covers:
- Why internationally adopted childrens pre-adoption experiences cause issues attachment issues
- Physical difficulties like sensory integration dysfunction
- Learning problems
- What the symptoms are
- How to parent to heal the hurt
Katie Prigel Sharp and Julie Drew explain simply and clearly all the latest research on the impact of trauma and neglect on the brain, and on the numerous ways healing takes place.
This seminar is not designed for parents who know they have severely affected children, but for the majority whose children come home with mild to moderate issues. This seminar prepares waiting parents on what to expect, what to look for, and how to overcome initial problems by appropriate parenting. It will satisfy the Hague requirements for hours of parent training. It also helps parents whose children are already home figure out why they are not doing as well as they should or have persistent behavior problems.
Adoption Fair
This very successful event is our most important community service, bringing those who long to become parents together with the agencies that can help them, and finding families for the children, both here in the U.S. and abroad, who need a family of their very own. The fair provides information on adoption, both domestic and international. The fair features informational exhibits by agencies, adoption lawyers, support groups, and adoption-related businesses and services. It is held at the Library Center every November.
Camp Panda
IAF has worked with Missouri State Universitys Camp Bear summer program to present Camp Panda, a week long summer camp in August for children age 3 to 13 that introduces them to Chinas rich and ancient culture and heritage. Campers study the Chinese language, learn to play various Chinese wind, string and percussion instruments and to sing popular Chinese children's folk songs, do traditional Chinese brush painting, learn kung fu and the festive Lion Dance, and the older campers cook some Chinese dishes. Most of the classes are taught by native Chinese speakers who have years of experience teaching children. Camp Panda is a four-day academic program with an exhibition day for families and friends on Friday. Monday through Thursday, Camp starts at 8:00am and ends at noon for Little Butterfly (age 3-5) and Little Gold Fish (age 6-8). Program day will end at 2:30pm for Panda Friends (age 9-14). Camp Panda also offers extended supervised care after regular program hours.
Lifebook in a Day
Adoptive parents know their adopted child needs a lifebook.The story of their early life is vital for helping children deal with being adopted.But many parents never get around to making their childs lifebook. IAFSWMO will help you get it done with an all-day event. Arrive with your childs information, leave with a completed lifebook! All materials and tools provided to make a basic lifebook, along with the information and advice you need to complete each page step by step. Quality memory books, additional stickers, themed papers etc are also for sale. Parents and children over 5 are welcome so make it a parent-child project! Refreshments and lunch are provided.
WISE UP Workshop
Adopted schoolchildren can learn to handle intrusive, awkward and inappropriate comments on adoption at this workshop. It is based on the WISE UP workbook that encourages the child to think and talk about adoption issues, and teaches them appropriate and empowering responses. The advantage of going through the book together in a group is that the child can share the experience of being adopted with other adopted children, and learn the W.I.S.E program, practicing the responses through role playing scenarios. Children learn that they are not alone and their feelings and concerns are normal for adopted kids. Older adoptees help with the program, sharing their own experiences and providing positive role models. Each child would get his or her own workbook as part of the workshop. This program welcomes both domestically and internationally adopted children.
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