Cape Girardeau parents of children ages 5-8 have a chance to learn more about their kids and ways to be a better parent.

A series of parent meetings are being held through the Cape Girardeau school district's new Practical Parenting Partnership program.

The first four-week session begins Tuesday, said Carla Aufdenberg, coordinator of the program.

Practical Parenting Partnerships is an extension of Missouri's successful Parents as Teachers program. Cape Girardeau is one of the pilot sites for the Practical Parenting Partnerships program, which targets parents with school age children.

The meetings will be held on four Tuesdays ending Feb. 9 at the Evangelical United Church of Christ, 37 S. Ellis. Parents with children in kindergarten through third grade may attend. The meetings start at 7 p.m. and last an hour. Babysitting will be available at some of the meetings.

Jan. 19: The Developmental Stages of Parenting, presented by Aufdenberg.

Jan. 26: Your Child's Development From 5-8 Years, presented by Gloysis Mayers, child development specialist, department of human environmental studies at Southeast Missouri State University.

Feb. 2: Helping kids handle peer pressure and promoting your child's self esteem, presented by Randon Grissom, co-coordinator of Project Charlie.

Feb. 9: Choosing Effective Discipline Techniques, Tiffany Parker from Community Counseling Center.

In addition, Aufdenberg said, a series of drop-in sessions are planned after school. The programs will be held at each Cape Girardeau elementary school from 3:30-4:15 p.m.

The first session deals with understanding children's behavior and misbehavior.

Jan. 19: Charles Clippard third and fourth grade area.

Jan. 20: Alma Schrader music room.

Jan. 26: Washington music room.

Jan. 27: May Greene library.

Feb. 2: Franklin library.

Feb. 3: Jefferson library.

The second program deals with communication and how to listen to a child.

Feb. 9: Charles Clippard third and fourth grade area.

Feb. 10: Alma Schrader music room.

Feb. 16: Washington music room.

Feb. 17: May Greene library.

Feb. 23: Franklin library.

Feb. 24: Jefferson library.

Aufdenberg said parents may pick up their children from school and drop-in for the 45-minute meetings.

In case of bad weather or cancellation of school, the meeting for that evening will be canceled.

Aufdenberg said the Practical Parenting Partnership program will also be working with a class offered at the Southeast called Working with Parents. "We are planning to do some things with them, possibly an activity night and a family night at the library," she said.

For more information, call Aufdenberg at 651-3703.