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CARE (Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement) Program: Enriching Parent Education
Any way you look at it there is little in the world that is more important than getting our children off to a good start in life. Too often, however, we confuse the relative ease of conception (i.e., ""getting the child here"") with the challenge of rearing the child into responsible adulthood. It is amazing that a task so important doesn't come with detailed instruction. Child guidance is tough going in the best of situations (when work is plentiful, friends and family are supportive, our loved ones give and receive respect and affection). When life isn't optimal for parents, it's all the more important to provide effective help in getting the job done respectfully. This includes not only do-able, appealing discipline, but also to provide a range of information in a manner that can help repair deficits that occur from family disruptions.
The Adler School of Professional Psychology has long been a proponent of respectful parenting and the skilled delivery of effective discipline in our changing world. Building on the solid foundation of effective research-supported parenting methods, we are incorporating a range of knowledge and skills that make our CARE program a truly holistic approach to parent education – as reparative and as preparation.
The topics we cover in a hands-on manner are geared specifically to those we teach. A respectful disciplinary approach informs all our offerings which focus on three dynamic aspects of child rearing: child development (and the stresses that occur when this is disrupted by separation from the children); care-giving from outside the family (including day care and school involvement); child enrichment (playtime and spirituality).
Between eight and twelve hours of instruction is provided depending on the combination. The modules will be provided in six, two-hour sessions, although the format is flexible. Instructors are graduate-level clinicians. They receive hands-on instruction in the art of teaching parents the application of theory.
Following are the major areas addressed and some of the topics covered in each session.
Effective Respectful Discipline I: Parenting as a process; Understanding yourself and your children; Encouragement; Self-esteem; Communication;
Child Development: Stages of growth; Intellectual development; Social development
Effects of Separation on Children: Divorce issues; Domestic violence and its effects; Incarceration and returning to the family
Interacting with Alternate Care-givers: Placement and visitation with Foster Parents; Co-parenting as a possibility
Effective Respectful Discipline II: Understanding and redirecting misbehavior; Types of families; Natural and logical consequences;
Locating and Monitoring Child Care: How to find the right center for your children; Interviewing and interacting with the day care center staff; Determining eligibility for financial assistance; Transportation to/from day care center
Interacting with the School System: Remembering your school days; Doing your share, allowing the school to do theirs; Getting academic help for your children
Effective Respectful Discipline III: Redirecting with natural and logical consequences; Family meetings
Planning Age-appropriate Playtime: Learning what kids can do (review of developmental stages); No need to buy it! (Making fun toys from household items); When to help and when to leave 'em alone (Age-appropriate interaction with children)
Spiritual Enrichment of Child-Parent Relations: Religion and discipline (The importance of not confusing them); Religion and spirituality (Telling them apart); Understanding the stages of spiritual development (When to encourage and when to back-off)
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