This summer, the Salisbury Township School District has offered and continues to offer free workshops for community members.

Denise Continenza, Penn State Extension Lehigh County, presented one such workshop, "What makes my child tick?" Aug. 5 at Western Salisbury Jerusalem Church, 3441 Devonshire Road.

Continenza is a family and consumer science extension educator at Penn State where she focuses on family strengths. Prior, she worked at Head Start and has always had an interest in temperaments and has favored Dr. Stanley Turecki's work since her children were young.

Continenza discussed in great detail the 10 temperament traits children are born with, saying 50 percent is genetics the other 50 percent is environment, so some traits can be shaped.

Attendees were asked to rate their temperament level and their child's level and see where they clashed and were they were most harmonious via a provided rating scale. Some who shared the results were a bit surprising and others discussed how the activity brought to light why their child may react a certain way.

The power of the "I message" with children was discussed and encouraged "I need you to…" Continenza shared stories, frustrations, ideas and advice and opened up a lot of dialogue with those who attended.

Continenza noted a family can have children with all different temperaments which require the parents to respond in various parenting styles to their children. A one-size- fits-all approach will not be successful.

"Relationships with children are like dances. Each person is moving and responding," Continenza said.

Continenza will also present "Lend me your ear" 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Western Salisbury Jerusalem Church. This session will key in on communication which is often the root of many family conflicts. By learning to apply four simple techniques, many issues can be prevented from becoming major discipline problems. Participants will learn a variety of methods and activities to become better listeners and speakers.

All sessions are offered at no charge; however, participants must register to attend. To register, complete the online form at stsd.org/ rsvp or call Mary Bishop at 610-797-2062.