Session 3 Four session parenting program

1. Session 3 Four session parenting program Welcome Introduction Housekeeping

2. Child development Types of trauma Impact of trauma on learning Managing stress Mental health and wellbeing Getting support Any questions from last session? Session 2 covered the following:

3.  Importance of parent involvement with schooling Creating an optimal learning environment Ways that a parent can get involved with the school Developing a good parent-child relationship Strategies for supportive parenting Supporting children through common challenges Session 3 Overview

4. For children to be successful in school, parents and families need to be actively involved in their children's learning. By showing interest in their children's education, parents can motivate their children towards learning and foster an appreciation for the importance of education. The importance of parent involvement with schooling

5. An optimal learning environment is a place where: Children are supported, encouraged and free from toxic stress. Children feel safe and free from threat, violence and intimidation. Distractions are minimal, for the completion of homework and study. Children have an opportunity to read, talk, be creative and learn through free play. Children can get regular rest and relaxation. Creating an optimal learning environment

6. To create an optimal learning environment, parents can: Establish routines and stability Encourage reading and read with their children (in any language) Help their children to be organised Talk about school with their children Communicate with school Foster independence and self-discipline Creating an optimal learning environment

7. There are many ways that parents can get involved with their child’s school: Find out as much as possible about school including the name of a child’s classroom teacher, the homework requirements for the term, and important dates in the school calendar. Review school newsletters and notes sent home from school. Talk with school staff about supporting children’s learning at home. Communicate with teachers and the school about any concerns. This may be done in person or over the phone. Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) can be contacted on 131 450 and is available to parents if interpreting is required. Parent involvement with school

8. Talk to children about what they did at school each day. Assist with homework. Attend parent-teacher interviews, assemblies or other school events. Consider volunteering as a helper in the classroom. This can involve assisting teachers and students with activities, exchanging home readers, supporting school reading programs and other initiatives. Volunteer outside of the classroom, such as at the canteen, at school sports days or with fundraising events. Join the school Parents and Citizens (P&C) Committee. Parent involvement with school

9. Parents can utilise a range of parenting strategies to build a good relationship with their children, provide effective discipline and support school success. A good foundation for this is to have a clear understanding of what is normal for a child’s development and to shape expectations based on developmental age and stage. Parents also need to be good role models. The best way for children to learn how to behave, how to interact well with others, and how to cope with challenges is to learn from the way that parents do these things. Strategies for supportive parenting

10. An overview of supportive parenting strategies is provided below: Provide positive attention Foster independence and responsibility Teach emotional intelligence Ensure a safe and secure environment Develop a healthy, balanced lifestyle Strategies for supportive parenting

11. Many parenting programs are available to assist parents to develop good parenting strategies and manage child behaviour. Parents can use the internet or contact their local council to enquire about programs that are available in their area. Strategies for supportive parenting

12. Fairness, consistency and opportunities to learn are needed to make discipline effective. Physical punishment/corporal punishment is not effective as it does not teach a child the right way to behave. Criticising a child harshly, humiliating them, calling them names or threatening them can be considered to be emotionally abusive and can cause serious consequences for the parent.   Using Discipline Effectively

13. Effective discipline involves giving encouragement and appropriate consequences. This approach includes the recognition that making mistakes is an entirely normal part of the learning process. Effective discipline involves parents staying calm and taking responsibility for ensuring that children know what is expected of them. Using Discipline Effectively

14. There are many effective approaches which enable parents to discipline their children in a way that will teach children the right way to behave without creating fear. Effective discipline strategies include: Being prepared - sometimes problems can be avoided by thinking ahead and planning. To avoid any last minute rushing, be organised and get everything ready early. Providing activities for children to avoid boredom - children who are bored may misbehave. If there is a risk of children becoming bored, plan activities or allow them to bring a book or game to keep them occupied. Ignoring some behaviours - many minor misbehaviours are simply attempts to get attention. Choosing to ignore these behaviours removes the confrontation and teaches children that such behaviours will not get attention. Using Discipline Effectively

15. Effective discipline strategies include: Beginning with a foundation of a few family rules. Giving clear and reasonable instructions that children can understand. Negotiation - when children’s requests are reasonable, negotiating may be appropriate, and is a great way to teach children this important life skill. Providing appropriate consequences to misbehaviour - consequences need to be fair and consistent, and may include loss of privileges, asking a child to apologise, asking a child to go back and complete the task or action the right way. Time out or grounding should only be used for serious behaviour. Using Discipline Effectively

16. School is a time of significant change, learning and development for children. It is normal for children to face challenges throughout their schooling and there are many things that parents can do to help at these difficult times. Supporting Children through common challenges

17. Common Challenges Not having adequate school supplies If parents require assistance in providing school supplies, they should speak to the school principal. The school may be able to help parents connect with other parents who are selling text books and resources second-hand. There are also local community welfare agencies that may be able to assist in cases of hardship, and provide parents with financial support or material help. The school principal or counsellor will be able to make referrals to relevant helping services in the community.

18. Common Challenges School work If school work is becoming overwhelming to a student, parents should speak to their child’s classroom teacher about the extra support available at the school. Parents can also assist by helping students to complete homework and learning tasks. Parents may wish to explore tutoring if they feel a child will benefit from the extra learning and practice. However tutoring should not be pushed too far, and should only be included as part of a balanced timetable of recreation, relaxation and study. A variety of local services run homework clubs across the country. These are special free or low cost programs that are run after and sometimes before school to assist children in completing school work and homework tasks. The classroom teacher, school counsellor, principal or local library can assist in connecting parents with these programs.

19. Common Challenges Needing support with the English Language Most schools run English as second language (ESL) programs. These programs involve schools identifying students that require English language assistance and providing activities to support the development of English reading, writing, comprehension and speaking skills. Speak to the school principal about English language support options. Community colleges, and educational providers such as TAFE in NSW offer a variety of low-cost English language classes. Many churches and welfare groups advertise free conversational English groups which can offer informal opportunities for children and parents to practice speaking and listening in English. Migrant resource centres and settlement services can also provide assistance with English language support.

20. Common Challenges Bullying Bullying Behaviour can include: Verbal bullying such as name calling, teasing, threats or insults. Physical bullying. For example, hitting, scratching, tripping or spitting. Social bullying such as excluding or making inappropriate gestures. Psychological bullying which may include spreading rumours, glaring, destruction of possessions or nasty text messages, amongst other things.

21. Common Challenges Bullying In order to deal with bullying, parents can: Speak with their child, acknowledge their child’s feelings towards the bullying and provide comfort and support. Remain positive and calm, letting their child know that they take the bullying seriously. Parents should not encourage their child to fight with another child but should report the bullying to their child’s school. This may be done via the child’s classroom teacher or school principal. Request and review the school anti-bullying policy. Get help for their child. High-quality, free support can be found via the school counsellor as well as many community agencies and helplines.

22. Importance of parent involvement with schooling Creating an optimal learning environment Ways that a parent can get involved with the school Developing a good parent-child relationship Strategies for supportive parenting Supporting children through common challenges Session 3 Summary

23. Transition to school Fostering self-esteem Building resilience and emotional intelligence in children NAPLAN/HSC Pathways for the future Session 4overview (next week)

24. Questions? Please complete session 3 evaluation form Thank you! Session Close