Parental Education
Parental Education
Ever hear the expression "It takes a village to raise a child?" Well, that's just what it takes. We all play a role in developing our children. From parents, their extended family members, and friends, to teachers, coaches at extra-curricular activities they attend. But how often do we think about the critical role played by state and local child welfare agencies?
This post will discuss the purpose of Parent Education Programs, how they work, and give some examples of local programs that support families in this effort.
Purpose of Parent Education Programs
Parent Education Program is a broad term that encompasses many different types of programs offered by state and local child welfare agencies. The purpose of these varied programs is to help parents become better caretakers for their children so they can grow up to be healthy, well-adjusted adults.
Some Parent Education Programs are designed for new parents or infants. Others are more targeted towards older children, like teenagers. Some local programs are even specifically designed to support teens who are parents themselves.
Most of these programs work with the parents on specific tasks they need to accomplish to become better caretakers for their children. These include
- Cooking healthy meals
- Getting enough sleep at night
- Positively communicating with their children
Who Are Parent Education Programs For?
While these programs are widely thought to be made for families involved in child welfare, they are also available to any local families interested in taking advantage of them. If you're expecting a child or have an infant at home, these free classes can be the perfect way to get on the right path for caring for your baby.
Ever hear the expression "It takes a village to raise a child?" Well, that's just what it takes. We all play a role in developing our children. From parents, their extended family members, and friends, to teachers, coaches at extra-curricular activities they attend. But how often do we think about the critical role played by state and local child welfare agencies?
Examples of Local Parent Education Programs
Choosing to attend classes can be intimidating enough - it's even harder when you're not sure if the program is worth your time. Luckily, there are countless examples of Parent Education Programs in local areas across the country that offer lots of information for parents to learn how to best prepare themselves and their children for a healthy life.
Here are three popular options you can look into:
- Changing Children's Worlds Foundation
The Changing Children's Worlds Foundation is an empathy-based program that aims to help parents and their children identify successful communication methods. It features workshop training, resources for parents. It even goes as far as to organize local events to bring families together to experience these workshops (and hopefully get them involved in the larger community). - The Circle of Security
This program aims both at parents and professionals who work with children. It aims to help develop a common language to understand and address issues as they arise. The program helps adults set the right example for their children, identify feelings, and provide positive responses to those feelings.
The Circle of Security is also big on diversity and inclusion - its focus is to provide a space for all families, regardless of race or economic status. - Parenting Inside Out
Based on cognitive-behavioral and social learning theories, this program is for families expecting their first child or having an infant at home. Parenting Inside Out focuses on the importance of routines between parents and their children, guiding parents with real-life examples of how to handle situations.
Conclusion
Parent Education Programs are an invaluable resource for parents who are interested in not only bettering their own lives but giving their child(ren) the best chance to succeed. Local resources provide unique opportunities for parents to learn about the unique developmental stages of their children. It also provides a community of people who can share their experiences and offer support.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating, you can find a program near you by typing your location on Google.