Helping parents improve behaviour

An eight-week parenting programme for fathers and mothers of young children is helping families manage their children’s behaviour, according to research by The University of Auckland.

Since last year The Faculty of Education have been researching the effectiveness of a new version of a Triple P-Positive Parenting programme designed for fathers and mothers of children aged three to eight years.

The parents who have been through the programme so far have reported positive results including an improved relationship with their child as well as with their husband, wife or partner.

A father of a four-year-old boy who has been through the programme said: “Originally I went along to support my wife, but I have found that I learnt a lot and I am pleased that I went because I am part of the situation too.”

A mother of a three-year-old girl said her daughter has been easier to handle since she completed the course. “I have actually heard from her kindy teacher that she is doing better at kindy as well.”

A father of a three and a half-year-old boy, who has also completed the course, said that the course had changed him for the better.

“I learnt more about myself than I expected and this has helped me to be a better father and partner. I have more tools to stop and think more before I react. I play more with my children since completing the course and this has helped with our relationship and has improved my child’s behaviour and mine.”

The free parenting programme is aimed at helping parents or caregivers manage child behaviour in a constructive way and to help family life be calmer and less stressful.

Designed specifically for both fathers and mothers the eight-week course includes five two-hour group sessions and three 20-minute telephone consultations.

Senior Lecturer Dr Louise Keown of the Triple P Research Group said the programme helps by making parents feel more confident in their parenting skills.

More free parenting programmes will be taking place this year in South, East and Central Auckland. For information contact the Triple P Research Group by email tprg@auckland.ac.nz.