Parent Education TECA 1303 Chapter 13 Do we need parent education? 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 ©2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 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 Examples of Predesigned Parent Education Programs Parent Effectiveness Training (PET) Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) Active Parenting Today (APT) ©2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 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=PlayLi st&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 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 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 Activity Parenting 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