BETTER PARENTING: WHY IT IS IMPORTANT AND HOW TO PROMOTE IT Lucy Y. Steinitz, Ph.D., Senior Technical Advisor, Protection Catholic Relief Services REPSSI PSS FORUM, August 2015

Better Parenting is REPSSI-endorsed – a facilitator’s manual and a job aid - adapted from Ethiopia’s Yekokeb Berhan program in 2014

Why offer Parenting training? While most parents do their best to raise the children under their care, they may not know the best way to approach these challenges – especially when stressed by old age, illness, HIV, and a lack of education. They don’t know how to cope. Probably, we can all identify with that sometimes! 3

A systematic review of 12 studies Parenting training has some positive impact in improving parent-child interaction, parental knowledge in relation to child development. =1000&topicID=1000 Structured parent group programs are shown to be effective interventions for managing behavior problems Behavior and cognitive group-based parenting programs have led to reductions in harsh parenting practices and are effective in addressing adolescent conduct problems. 4 Does (Better) Parenting –Training Make a Difference?

What other studies are out there? (Here are examples) Linda Richter: &topicID= &topicID=1025 UNICEF: &topicID= &topicID=1000 BCN newsletter: html 5

What is the best approach? A holistic approach is most recommended: Combining economic strengthening (for example, Village Savings and Loan Groups) with improved parenting skills via small group training – and then following this up with in-home coaching, re-enforcement, monitoring and referral. 6

Other lessons learned: 7 Good facilitation is critical, with active learning (teaching each other) Parents prefer peer-groups, where they are comfortable The approach should be on cognitive learning and behavior- change. Long-term programs are more effective (months versus weeks) Group sessions should include homework w/ review the next week. Respect cultural differences and promote the role of faith-as- shared-values-and-identity - but within the framework of applicable laws (“Know them”) and child rights

Other lessons learned (2) 8 Add home visits to marginalized and at-risk families Parenting should include men and fathers somehow – e.g., separate groups? Special focus groups/ sessions are good: offering separate training s for ECD, school-age children, teens… Parenting of teens may be accompanied by peer-led teen life- skills, ensuring that some of the same topics are addressed. Conduct follow-ups and provide for refreshers on topics where participants have the most questions/ concerns.

What do we know about the impact of the REPSSI –endorsed parenting program, specifically? 9

Tell us more about the REPSSI endorsed Better Parenting (1)? 10 The facilitator training consists of five sessions, lasting approximately 2 ½ hours each: Session 1: Understanding Parenting Session 2: Understanding Children Session3: Learning Parenting Skills #1: Communication and Setting Limits Session4: Learning Parenting Skills #2: Discipline and Monitoring Session 5: Being a good example to children

Tell us more about the REPSSI endorsed Better Parenting (2)? 11 This training is expected to:  Improve the attitudes and behaviors of caregivers when caring for children  Improve the confidence of caregivers in their parenting skills  Reduce caregiver stress and anxiety  Improve the relationships between caregivers and their children  Improve the behavior of children  Reduce corporal punishment and other unfair discipline methods of children  Improve the overall wellbeing of children

Tell us more about the REPSSI endorsed Better Parenting (3)? 12 This Better Parenting manual should be used to train community-based individuals – government representatives, CSO staff, local activists and volunteers -- who will then work directly with parents and caregivers. For direct use with parents and guardians, the key resource is the Better Parenting Job Aid that accompanies this Manual. When printed in a small hand-held size (e.g. A-4 or smaller), the Job Aid can be used in the home by volunteers or community workers who spend time with families one-on-one. A larger version (A-3 or bigger) can be used when engaging in planned Better Parenting discussions in small groups or at community meetings.

Tell us more about the REPSSI endorsed Better Parenting (4)? 13 Any good trainer should be able to pick up the Facilitator’s Manual, read it carefully, and then follow the instructions while training local staff or volunteers. Alternatively, an organization can create a Training-of- Trainers workshop, whereby the participants would become familiar with the material in a group setting and then train others afterwards. At the local level with staff, community members or volunteers, training should occur in the following ways: Via a local workshop over the course of 3 ½ days. Via 5 sessions of 2 ½ hours each, e.g. once a week.

Tell us more about the REPSSI endorsed Better Parenting (5)? 14 Following their own training, participants should roll out what they have learned at the community and household levels with as many caregivers of highly vulnerable children as possible. At this level, they should use the Job Aid as a visual tool to stimulate discussion and learning. Via a series of Community Conversations with small groups of parents and caregivers. ( Large-sized Job Aid should be used for community groups of caregivers.) In the home, during visits one-on-one with caregivers and other family members. (Small-sized Job Aid should be used to selectively address issues of concern and relevance ).

Tell us more about the REPSSI endorsed Better Parenting (6) 15 The Job Aid can be used by volunteers, parents, caregivers and anybody else who works closely with children and their families. The Job Aid has five basic parts (each with multiple pages) that correspond to the Better Parenting Training Manual:  Understanding Parenting (parenting responsibilities, social rules and parenting styles)  Understanding Children and their personalities  Learning Parenting Skills #1: Communication and Setting Limits  Learning Parenting Skills #2: Discipline and Supervision  Being a Good Example for Children There are 14 pages (sub-topics) in all.

Tell us more about the REPSSI endorsed Better Parenting (7) 16 Under each topic, there is an illustration on the front part that should be shown to the participants (parents, guardians, and others) during the discussion. When you fold the Job Aid down, on the opposite side there is a corresponding table that is intended to guide the volunteer or facilitator, as follows: In the upper left quadrant (#1), there are discussion points to initiate with participants. In the upper right quadrant (#3), more detail is provided that should be used to provide knowledge and transmit skills. In the lower left quadrant (#2), there are sample answers to thee questions, as well as definitions and basic concepts about the topic In the lower right quadrant (#4) there are review questions that can be used to determine whether the participant understands the main points.

What happens next? It is up to you. 17 Practice session and discussion….