TUNING IN TO TEENS PARENTING PROGRAM
RECRUITMENT LETTER
Dear Parent/Guardian,
You are invited to take part in a free parenting group program, Tuning in to Teens,
which may make a positive difference to your adolescent’s development. The six
session program is held one evening a week (7.30-9.30pm) at a venue close to your
teen’s school. The program will teach you skills in how to respond to your
adolescent’s emotions in a way that facilitates a closer relationship and helps them to
manage the challenges of adolescence and secondary school. The Tuning in to Teens
parenting program aims to maximise adolescents’ emotional intelligence.
A focus on Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is about dealing with emotions effectively in everyday life.
Developing emotional intelligence increases an individual’s ability to:
 understand and talk about emotions;
 understand other people’s emotions and respond with empathy;
 develop skills to manage strong emotions;
 remain motivated to plan, set goals and focus attention during emotionally
challenging times; and
 handle relationships successfully – including resolving conflict thoughtfully
and non-violently.
Why is Emotional Intelligence important?
Research has shown that people with better emotional intelligence:
 have more satisfying friendships and intimate relationships;
 have better overall health;
 have lower depression, anxiety and behaviour problems and are less likely to
have problems with alcohol, drug use or other risk taking behaviours;
 have greater career success: Emotional intelligence may be a better predictor
of academic and career success than IQ!
When parents help their adolescent learn about emotions their teen is more likely to
have higher emotional intelligence. In this parenting program we will teach parents
what to do to help these skills develop, and in doing so we expect adolescents to
manage the challenges of adolescence and secondary school better. If you decide to
take part, you and your teen will be asked to fill out a questionnaire at two different
times to help us find out if the program was helpful for you. Your adolescent will also
receive a JB HIFI voucher on completion of the study to reimburse them for their
time.
Would You Like to Find Out More?
If you are interested in participating in this parenting program, please call to leave
your postal address or email Christiane Kehoe, Project Manager, on 9371 0207 or
HREC 1341214.1
Tuning in to Teens Initial Parent Recruitment Letter
17/02/2016
ckehoe@unimelb.edu.au. We will then discuss any questions you may have and send
out a more detailed information sheet and consent form.
Yours sincerely,
_______________________
Dr Christiane Kehoe
Project Manager
Mindful-Centre for Training and Research in
Developmental Health
The University of Melbourne at
50 Flemington St, Flemington, 3031
Ph: (03) 9371 0207
ckehoe@unimelb.edu.au
HREC 1341214.1
___________________________
Dr Sophie Havighurst
Principal Investigator
Mindful-Centre for Training and Research
in Developmental Health
The University of Melbourne
50 Flemington St, Flemington, 3031
Ph: (03) 9371 0200
Tuning in to Teens Initial Parent Recruitment Letter
17/02/2016
TUNING IN TO TEENS PARENTING PROGRAM
RETURN SLIP
Adolescent’s Name:
(The child you nominate must be in Year 7 in 2015)
Adolescent’s Age:
Parent/Carer’s Name(s):
Contact Phone Number (business hours):
Your Postal Address:
Name of School
I ________________________would like to attend the six session program: "TUNING IN TO TEENS”
(Parent/Carer Name)
I am able to attend on a Mon_____Tue____ Wed____ night. (please tick all suitable)
Preferred night____
You can express your interest to participate by:
Emailing the return slip/information required in the return slip to
ckehoe@unimelb.edu.au (Christiane Kehoe, Project Manager)
or
contacting us via telephone on 9371 0207 (Christiane Kehoe,
Tuesday- Friday 9am -5pm).
Places are limited to 14 parents per group.
Thank you
HREC 1341214.1
Tuning in to Teens Initial Parent Recruitment Letter
17/02/2016