Parent Education and Support Important in Family Safety
Many San Benito families live in areas that are rural and create isolation, both geographical and socially, where parents have no or limited contact with family or friends. Research has been shown that this isolation has been linked to child abuse because of the lack of information about child development and emotional support.
Research shows that parent education and support programs have been shown to be crucial elements in interventions that seek to prevent child abuse and neglect and to help parents give their chidlren a firm emotional, social, and intellectual start to their lives. (Fegan & Bowes,1999), (Daro, MCCurdy, & Harding, 1998)
How Parent Education Can Reduce Risk of Child Abuse
Summary of Key Teaching Goals for Parent Educators Teach parents how children think, act, and grow at different ages and stages of their lives. Help parents develop realistic expectations for their children. Give parents the opportunity to practice thinking about how their children develop, and give them the opportunity to practice setting appropriate expectations and goals for their children. Teach parents appropriate nonabusive child management techniques and other parenting skills. Educate parents about the importance of managing stress. Help them find stress-reducing techniques that will work for them. Teach parents about the value of social support. Help them develop the skills they need to improve their relationships. Encourage parents to use the parent education program as a source of social support. Teach parents how to access additional supportive systems they might need outside of the program. Resources
Child Welfare Information Gateway: www.childwelfare.gov
Sources for best practices: Compiled by L. Shannon, North Carolina State University. • National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse (1992). Evaluation of the William Penn Foundation Child Abuse Prevention Initiative. Chicago: NCPCA.• National Research Council (1993). Understanding child abuse and neglect. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. • Reppucci, M. D., Britner, P. A., & Wollard, J. L. (1997). Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect through Parent Education. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. • Whipple, E. E., & Wilson, S. R. (1996). Evaluation of a parent education program for families at risk fo child abuse. Families in Society, 77 (4), 227 – 239. • Whipple, E. E. (1999). Reaching families with preschoolers at risk of physical child abuse: What works? Families in Society, 80 (2), 148 – 160. |