Aims

The Positive Parenting Program is designed to support parents in meeting the challenges of parenting. It aims to help parents enhance their parenting skills, build positive relationships with their children, and promote their children's development. The program is based on contemporary knowledge, is internationally recognised and has been found useful by many parents. The program is designed for parents of children up to 12 years of age. The program introduces strategies for developing children's self esteem, self control and social skills.

Parenthood can be extremely rewarding, enlightening and enjoyable. It can also be demanding, frustrating and exhausting. Parents have the important role of raising the next generation, yet most people begin their careers as parents with little preparation, and learn through trial and error. The challenge for all parents is to raise healthy, well-adjusted children in a loving, predictable environment.

There is no single right way to be a parent and there are many different views on how parents should go about raising their children. Ultimately, parents need to develop their own approach to dealing with a child's behaviour. Positive parenting is an approach to parenting which aims to promote child development and manage child behaviour in a constructive and non-hurtful way. It is based on good communication and positive attention to help children develop. Children who grow up with positive parenting are likely to develop their skills and feel good about themselves. They are also less likely to develop behaviour problems.

Five key aspects to positive parenting

1. Ensuring a safe, engaging environment
2. Creating a positive learning environment
3. Using assertive discipline
4. Having realistic expectations
5. Taking care of yourself as a parent

Program outline

Our Social Worker Marion Harriden is an accredited Positive Parenting Program presenter and runs a FREE 2 hour daytime Positive Parenting Program. The duration of the program is 6 weeks and includes topics such as:

* Child development
* Discipline
* Assertive parents
* Do you know your style?
* Problems!
* Communication
* Self esteem
* Fathers are parents too

Free child care is available

While you attend our program, FREE child care is available at the Little Villagers Child Care Centre at Dingley Village.

Please note that places are limited.

Registration

The DVCAB will be running a FREE Positive Parenting Program to be held on Wednesdays (1pm - 3pm). Time table for 2012 is on Positive Parenting Classes page.

Please register your interest by contacting DVCAB via our Contact Us page.