Families Alive Lecture Series
The Families Alive Tanner Lecture Series features lectures and presentations by leading scholars and practitioners in family science, human development and early childhood. Lectures and presentations will be held in person on the campuses of Weber State University, and are free and open to the general public.
There are typically eight lectures per year. Recordings of lectures will be made available online 1-2 weeks after the lecture.
The Department of Child and Family Studies has hosted the Families Alive Tanner Lecture Series at Weber State since 1984. We are grateful for an endowment from the OC Tanner Corporation and other sponsors including the Utah Marriage Commission for their support and helping make these lectures possible.
Students can earn course credit through the Families Alive Tanner Lecture Series; more information is available on our About page.
Contact Paul Schvaneveldt, Chair of the Families Alive Tanner Lecture Series, at pschvanveldt@weber.edu with questions.
PICCOLO in Practice: Helping Parents see Their Power in Early Intervention
Presented by: Gina Cook
When: March. 11, 2026 at 1 p.m.
Where: McKay Education Building, Room 327
Lecture and Presenter Information
Parent confidence is a key part of successful early intervention, but many families begin services unsure of what they are already doing well. This session introduces PICCOLO (Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes) as both an easy-to-use assessment and a coaching tool that highlights positive parenting behaviors.
Participants will learn the four PICCOLO domains, practice simple scoring and use clear supportive language to turn everyday observations into specific, confidence-building feedback that fits naturally into home visits.
Gina Cook is an associate professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies at Weber State University.
Spring 2026 Lecture Schedule
To be determined