As part of the "Let's Connect" program, Philips is sponsoring a series of "Let's Connect" workshops at middle schools across the country. Both fun and informative, these interactive workshops are hosted by Dr. Lawrence Kutner, well-known child psychologist and author, with special Nickelodeon guest stars, such as Michelle Trachtenberg, star of "Harriet the Spy" and Arjay Smith, star of "Journey of Alan Strange."

The workshops include discussion of the results of the national "Let's Connect" survey, role playing in which students get to play the parents of the Nickelodeon kids and act out "typical" family scenes, and a special feature called "The Family Game" that lets kids and parents match wits and find out just how well they know each other, as well as tips from Dr. Kutner on how kids and parents can make sure they get through to each other.

Workshops are scheduled at schools in New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle and Phoenix.

Lawrence Kutner, Ph.D.

The Associated Press calls him "Dr. Dad." Publisher's Weekly says his most recent book "places him firmly in the pantheon occupied by Spock, Brazleton, and Leach." But Lawrence Kutner describes himself simply as "a guy who does a lot of different stuff."

- He's a nationally known clinical psychologist who trained at the Mayo Clinic and teaches at Harvard Medical School.

- From 1987 to 1994 he was the author of the award-winning, weekly New York Times "Parent & Child" column, which was also syndicated to several hundred other newspapers throughout the United States. That column won the 1990 American Psychological Association National Psychology Award as the best writing about psychology in the country.

- He's a columnist for and contributing editor of Parents Magazine, and the author of its "Ask The Expert" column.

- He's an Emmy award-winning television reporter and documentary producer whose work has been seen on PBS, CBS, CNN, and major market stations throughout the country. His PBS special Adventures in Parenting, With Dr. Lawrence Kutner has been broadcast nationally since the summer of 1993. He hosts a radio program on child development and parenting on KGO-AM in San Francisco.

- He's on the board of advisors to Parenthood Television, a new cable television network for the parents of young children, scheduled to begin in 1997.

- He's been a consultant on child development to The Children's Television Workshop, The Johann Jacobs Foundation (Zurich), Microsoft Corporation, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, and to major universities and businesses throughout the United States.

- He's a frequent guest on network and local television and radio programs, ranging from Prime Time Live, Oprah, and Good Morning America to New Zealand Tonight.

- And he's a father who's done his share of diaper changes and tantrum tamings.

Dr. Kutner received his bachelor's degree from Oberlin College in Ohio and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Minnesota. He's the author of five recent books: Parent & Child: Getting Through To Each Other (1991, William Morrow & Co./1992, Avon Books), Pregnancy and Your Baby's First Year (1993, William Morrow & Co./1994 Avon Books), Toddlers and Preschoolers (1994, William Morrow & Co./1995 Avon Books), Your School-Age Child (1996, William Morrow & Co.), and Making Sense of Your Teenager (William & Morrow & Co., 1997).

He lives near San Francisco with his wife and their son. They also have a foster son from Romania who attends Columbia University in New York City.

Michelle Trachtenberg

Popular young actress Michelle Trachtenberg is best known for her recent blockbuster children's movie "Harriet the Spy." She can currently be seen on Nickelodeon's "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" and has a recurring role as Lily Montgomery on the ABC daytime soap "All My Children." Michelle's television credits include appearances on such programs as "Law & Order," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," and on Nickelodeon's "Clarissa Explains It All."

Arjay Smith

Fourteen-year-old Arjay Smith stars in Nickelodeon's popular "Journey of Allen Strange" series. A regular on Warner Bros.' "Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher," Arjay has co-starred on several television shows including "MAD TV," and "The Show." His film credits include John Singleton's "Higher Learning," and "Max's Summer Vacation." A well-rounded actor, Arjay has appeared in "The Chocolate Nutcracker," a theater performance directed by choreographer/actress Debbie Allen, and is a member of the Culture Shock Dance Troupe.