Open to All Parents in the KAUST Community
Main Body: Raising children in today’s interconnected, digital world is an experience that brings unique joys and challenges. With this in mind, KAUST University and TKS are teaming up to support family wellbeing across our community. This fall, we are hosting two interactive, expert-led workshop series designed to empower parents with practical, research-based tools for everyday family dynamics—offered with flexible morning, lunchtime, and evening options to fit your schedule.
Topic: Positive Discipline for Happy, Resilient Families
Featured Expert: Joy Marchese (Positive Discipline UK)
Sessions 1 & 2: Introduction to Positive Discipline
Sept. 7 | 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. | Bldg. 5, Level 5, Room 5209 – Includes light breakfast/lunch*Sessions 1 & 2 are the same workshop offered at two different times for convenience.
This hands-on workshop replaces daily parenting frustration with practical, neuroscience-backed solutions. Parents will learn to shift from traditional rewards and punishments toward kind, firm boundaries rooted in mutual respect. You will walk away with actionable strategies to decode challenging behavior while fostering your child’s resilience and confidence.
Session 3: Parenting the Anxious Generation with Positive Discipline
Sept. 7 | 4:15 – 5:45 p.m. | Bldg. 5, Level 5, Room 5209 – Includes refreshments
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping our children’s world, but no technology can replace the power of a safe, connected relationship. Inspired by Jonathan Haidt’s bestselling book, The Anxious Generation, this interactive parent workshop explores how smartphones, social media, screen-based childhoods, and emerging technologies may be influencing children’s brain development, emotional wellbeing, and sense of belonging.
Topic: Parenting in the Age of Screens
Featured Expert: Patrick Green (Winning Screentime)
Session 1: The Truth About Screen Time
Sept. 15 | 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. | TKS Auditorium
In this fast-paced, interactive experience we separate fact from fiction while looking at the latest studies on issues such as technology addiction, gaming, cyberbullying, and anxiety. We will explore practical parenting strategies and mindsets for talking with your child and promoting healthy digital habits and positive online behavior. You will leave with a toolkit of resources to help you connect with your child and create a healthier and more balanced digital world for your family.
Session 2: Ready, Set, Smartphone: Launch Your Child Successfully With Their First Phone
Sept. 16 | 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. | Bldg. 19, Hall 2 – Includes light breakfast
It’s a pivotal moment in your child’s life, and it’s only natural to feel a mix of excitement and apprehension as they ask for their first phone. Deciding if your child is ready is just the beginning. Are you prepared for this important step, and do you know how to ensure their safety and well-being in the digital world? Join this workshop to gain valuable insights and guidance on creating systems and safety measures, setting boundaries, and having essential conversations with your child.
Session 3 : Strong Foundations: Rules and Boundaries Parents Wish They Implemented Earlier
Sept 16 | 12:30-1:45 pm | Bldg 19, Hall 2 – Includes light lunch
Designed mainly for parents of middle and high schoolers (valuable for all), this workshop covers strategies for online safety and setting healthy boundaries. You will learn to draft a family agreement that fosters open dialogue and promotes a balanced digital experience. We’ll explore effective communication strategies, reflect on our own tech habits, and discuss how to lead by example in guiding your child’s online behavior.
Why attend?
- Aligned Frameworks: Reinforce the same positive behavior and digital citizenship values your children experience at school.
- Community Connection: Reflect, share insights, and learn alongside fellow KAUST parents.
How to register
Click here to sign up & reserve your sessions by September 3. All sessions are complimentary for TKS and KAUST families, sponsored through our University and TKS partnership. We look forward to coming together as a community to nurture confident, resilient, and future-ready learners.¨
