Gangnam-gu Supports Communication Between Dream Start Children and Parents

Since opening in September, the dedicated center operates various programs supporting healthy relationships between children and families... Children lacking cultural and leisure activities enjoy cake making, forest healing trips, and circus performances with their families... Provides parent education and psychological counseling to soothe parental stress and emotions during child-rearing -

Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) is strengthening parent and family support services and promoting various family programs in the Dream Start project, which supports vulnerable children this winter.

The Dream Start project, which provides customized integrated services for vulnerable children, opened a dedicated center (165 Bamgogae-ro) in Segok-dong last September and operates various educational programs for case-managed children in Gangnam-gu (148 children from 105 households). In particular, the program focuses on educating and supporting parents and families, the most important environment for children's growth and development, to help children have a special winter.

Providing travel and performance programs with families for children lacking culture and leisure

The Gangnam Dream Start program office operates a monthly one-day class for making family birthday cakes. Two sessions were held on October 20 and November 17, and a class is planned for December 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. About 20 participants, including the birthday child and family members, gather to make cakes with different monthly themes under the guidance of a professional instructor, fostering family communication time.

Also, on November 9, 58 families under case management participated in a forest experience event at the National Forest Healing Center (located in Yeongju, Gyeongbuk). Families who rarely traveled due to difficult financial situations created joyful memories through a 2-day, 1-night forest trip. They walked the healing forest trails, shared open conversations, and enjoyed rolling papers and board games together. Additionally, they took care of their physical and mental health by enjoying half-body baths and massages at the Water Healing Center.

On November 24, 60 vulnerable households with limited cultural experience opportunities will be supported to watch the performance of “Cirque du Soleil Lucia.” This show is an art circus that originated in 1984 in Quebec, Canada, where 20 street artists transformed circus into art. It is expected to be a fun performance that children will enjoy with their families.

Parent education and psychological counseling to soothe parenting stress and emotions

Education on proper parenting methods is provided to primary caregivers to support the healthy growth of children. On November 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., author Kim Ji-hye, who wrote “One Hour a Day, Mom’s Time” and “Mom’s Anger Coaching,” will be invited to conduct customized education under the theme “Parents and Anger Coaching.” The program teaches parents how to understand stress and anger, such as “parents who get angry and regret it” and “how to speak without hurting others,” and how to manage emotions. In addition, home-visit parent counseling and parenting coaching programs will be operated to provide tailored solutions for each family.

Furthermore, to provide psychological counseling for children and parents, agreements have been made with a total of nine institutions, including Suseo Comprehensive Social Welfare Center and local mental health clinics, to offer psychological tests and treatment at affordable prices.

Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, “I hope children who lacked various opportunities for family harmony and communication due to difficult family circumstances will have a warmer winter than ever through various family programs. We will continue to operate diverse programs for vulnerable children and parents so that children can grow up happily and healthily.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.