Stillwater Community Education

The Period of PURPLE Crying program is an evidence-based shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) prevention program available since 2007. The program has two aims: 1. To support parents and caregivers in their understanding of early increased infant crying 2. To reduce the incidence of SBS/AHT The program approaches SBS/AHT and infant abuse prevention by helping parents and caregivers understand the frustrating features of crying in normal, healthy infants that can lead to shaking or abuse. The program provides the opportunity for parents to learn about the crying characteristics from over 50 years of research on normal infant crying conducted by Dr. Ronald G. Barr, and other scientists worldwide. This course is geared toward those who are pregnant or have recently welcomed a newborn. The Period of PURPLE Crying is heightened in newborns between 2-8 weeks of age. This one-time class will be held virtually, with packet information to be picked up at the Early Childhood Family Center a few days before the class. This class is offered each month on the second Tuesday at 1 pm. The class will last roughly 45 minutes. Register for one session. Cost: $5/ person. If the cost of this class is too much for your family right now, please reach out to us at hanlonj@stillwaterschools.org and we can waive the fee.