We promise this week’s parenting section ends with good family fun, but we start with an important opportunity to learn about identifying child sexual abuse – which feels like what we should lead with.
The CDC reports one in four girls and one in 13 boys in the United States experience child sexual abuse. They also report that 91% of the time it is someone known and trusted by the child or child’s family members that perpetrates the abuse.
And, as much as we’d love to believe Corvallis is somehow exempt, it isn’t.
So, ABC House, which serves Benton and Linn counties, sometimes offers a free facilitator-led discussion to teach adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Also, this isn’t just any training, the modules create an effective enough learning opportunity that the class has won national awards, and it also offers certifications to certain types of professionals.
Titled Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children, the class will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, Tue., Jan.24 at the ABC House, 228 SW 5th Ave, Albany. The class is free, but you do need to pre-register, which you can do if you click here.
And Now, We Lovingly Nag: Confirming that the aforementioned class is free, being who we are at The Advocate, we now shamelessly ask that you donate to ABC House if you can – it’s easy, just click here for their donation page.
OSU Prof Reveals Research Based Study Hacks: In a new book published earlier this month, an Oregon State University professor offers study techniques, myth-busting and psychological research to explain why teaching and learning work the way they do.
The book is aimed at high school and college students, as well as teachers and parents who want to know how to help students become more effective learners.
“Study Like a Champ” was co-authored by OSU psychology professor Regan A.R. Gurung, who has been researching teaching and learning for 24 years.
Gurung has a lot of firsthand experience with this subject and conducts research in both the lab and the classroom. He estimates he’s taught more than 8,000 students during his career, including a class titled “The Science of Teaching and Learning.” He is also the director of OSU’s general psychology program and associate vice provost and executive director of the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning.
“The way we wrote this book was for all those people who really care about learning and for those who are doing the learning. We tell them, ‘Teachers, here’s exactly what you can say to students to help them learn, and students, here is what you can do,’” Gurung said.
One of the main myths the authors debunk is the idea that learning should be easy.
“Very often, students get turned off because they’ll say ‘Well, this is tough.’ No! Learning can be challenging — instead of giving up on it, rise up to that challenge,” Gurung said.
The authors also share empirical data showing that teaching styles don’t have to match learning styles for learning to take place and push back on the notion that lectures aren’t an effective delivery method for students to absorb information. Students can learn a lot from a well-done lecture, Gurung said, if they know how to get the most out of it.
The book also debunks a specific type of studying: rereading the material over and over, for instance. According to cognitive science, Gurung said, testing yourself on the material is much more effective as a study tool.
The good news about studying, Gurung says, is that it is a learned skill, not something that’s permanently fixed. This new book offers strategies to help students practice and get better.
“Study Like a Champ,” is published by the American Psychological Association and co-authored by John Dunlosky at Kent State University, and is available through all major booksellers for $22.99.
Four Family Hikes for Winter: With midwinter’s cold and gray skies, it can be tempting to stay indoors for days — or weeks — on end. However, getting outside can provide benefits for your mental and physical health. And honestly, between parent and child, the race to stir-crazy can be a toss-up on any given day.
But fear not, our area certainly has no shortage of places to explore, and here we share four of our favorite kid approved day trip haunts. The one caveat, plan for mud because: Oregon.
Hug Point
This hike is located on the coast near Tolovana Park near Cannon Beach. It’s only about one mile long. Caves, tidepools, and sandstone cliffs make this area an exciting place to explore.
Located west of Eugene, Sweet Creek Trail is gorgeous year round. This two mile hike takes you to multiple stunning waterfalls.
Located on the coast near Florence, this four mile hike leads you through coastal forest to end up on the beach. Basically, the best of both worlds that the Pacific Northwest offers.
This three mile hike takes you to a suspension bridge with a breathtaking view of the Drift Creek Falls waterfall. Located east of Salem, this trail is worth the drive.
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