Parent Education
TECA 1303Chapter 13
Do we need parent education?
©2010 Cengage Learning.All Rights Reserved.
What Is Parent Education? Traditional views and definitions
Large informational meetings Competent professional dispensing facts to less-
competent parent Family support programs offer family-
community interaction Functions of parent education
Stimulate parents to examine relationships with their children
Encourage interaction among parents Help parents prevent problems and optimize their
function
Family Life Education Teach parents how child develops Guidance strategies Specific areas: helping toddlers’
language, temperaments, discipline (various age groups), health and safety, dealing with difficult behaviors, etc.
Classes can be one time or several weeks
Court-ordered vs voluntary Many programs available
Types of Family Life Education
Letters and Newsletters Conferences with parent Bulletin Boards Parenting Minute in meeting Speaker on topic Topical workshop Series around topic Ongoing workshop or meetings on
children’s development
©2010 Cengage Learning.All Rights Reserved.
Examples of Predesigned Parent Education Programs
Parent Effectiveness Training (PET)
Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP)
Active Parenting Today (APT)
AVANCE Parenting Education
Center for the Improvement of Child Caring
Parent Ed Books and Packages
Parents As Teachers Trained people with degrees work with parents
focused on birth to three, although they now cover to 5
All families have strengths Parents are the experts on their child
Home visits Group meetings Developmental Screening Connections with community resources
HIPPY Emphasis on preparing 3-5 to succeed in school Paraprofessionals trained to work with families in
home
Parent Ed Books and Packages
Parents As Teachers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ66yje50g4&feature=PlayList&p=639AEE3848510274&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2 Trained people with degrees work with parents focused
on birth to three, although they now cover to 5 All families have strengths Parents are the experts on their child
Home visits Group meetings Developmental Screening Connections with community resources
HIPPY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E11fwv_o2CA Emphasis on preparing 3-5 to succeed in school Paraprofessionals trained to work with families in home
Parents As Learners
Parents bring their own knowledge, experience and learning styles to training situations
Parents acquire new information and skills by changing existing information and adding new information to what they previously knew
Parents learn best when they, not the curriculum is the focus of the program
Parents must be able to explore and make their own discoveries; they learn best from activity
They need opportunities to discuss, collaborate and share experiences and information with peers.
They need concrete, everday examples and problems to discuss
They need opportunities to share opposing points of view and share consensus
They need a variety of learning strategies that appeal to many senses
Parents As Learners
Parents need to feel free to guide and direct their learning
Parents are motivated to learn when they have a need to do so. They want to know WIIFM
parents need training that is focused on solving immediate problems
They need theory and knowledge they can apply They respond best when taught by facilitators who care
about their learners and recognize their experience They come with a variety of education, background,
experience, intelligence, emotional stability and motivation for achievement and change
They must feel motivated Thoughts, emotions, imagination, and physical
condition affect the ability to attend and retain information
How do you involve parents in classes?
Use a needs assessment (handout) Offer food, transportation, child care Provide in their community or
comfortable setting Provide in language or cultural context Make it interactive Open-ended discussions Honor their expertise
Planning Your Parent Support Programs
Who is audience? How large do you want your group to be? What do you want them to learn/goals? How much time do you have? What type of resources/facilities do you
have? What materials or curriculum will you use? Will you create your own program?
Design Your Workshop
Decide on topic, set goals Know audience Plan timelines Research content Use variety of instruction methods
Trainer Methodologies Games Demonstrations Case Studies Group Discussions Panels Quizzes Debates Brainstorming Questioner
Role Plays Reports Guest Presenters Simulations Mentoring Models Stories Skits Buzz groups Projects
Small Group ActivityParenting Video: YouTube - December 9 - TiredofYelling.com
Read handout “Dealing with Difficult People and Situations in Training”
Pretend that you are moderating a small group of parents who are discussing the previous video clip and you have the following issues arise: Dominant speaker who hogs the floor An argument breaks out A person who constantly changes the subject focusing on
his personal problems Discuss how you would deal with each situation.
Market Your Program
Identify a target group Find their needs Design program to meet needs Communicate and develop a message
parents want to hear Post flyers Contact schools, churches, social service
agencies, libraries, newspapers,child care centers, businesses