Kendal Gott FCST 423

It is evidenced that parenting education and guidance has assisted in decreasing the likelihood of child abuse and maltreatment.  According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway (2013), “the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), as reauthorized in 2010, identifies parent education as a core prevention service (p. 1).” As stated by the Child Welfare Information Gateway (2013), “parenting training strategies should include: positive family interaction, involve fathers, use interactive training techniques, provide opportunities to practice new skills, teach emotional communication skills, and encourage peer support (p.3-4).” Parent education and guidance provides parents with invaluable information that will positively affect our society. I do not feel that a parenting education class/course is conveying to the student or attendee that they are a bad or unfit parent, but is conveying that the parent is striving towards improving their parenting knowledge and skill base through a positive method of education. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway (2013), accredited and recommended parenting programs include: 1-2-3 Magic, Common Sense Parenting, Nurturing Parenting Programs, and Parent-Child Interaction Theory, just to name a few (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2013, p.6-8).”

Family life education plays a vital role in providing and delivering parenting education and guidance. Parenting education is an exceptionally important content area of family life education and should be approached with competency and preparation. As stated by Darling and Cassidy (2014), “the National Extension Parenting Education Model and its nine key assumptions regarding parents and their relationships to their children are: 1) Parents are the primary socializers of their children. 2) Parenting attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviors can be positively influenced by parent education efforts.  3) Parenting is a learned skill that can be strengthened through the study and experience.  4) Parenting education is more effective when parents are active participants in and contributors to their parenting education programs.  5) The parent-child relationship is nested within and influenced by multiple social and cultural systems. 6) Programs should be responsive to diversity among parents. 7) Effective parenting education may be accomplished by a variety of methods. 8) Both the parent and the child have needs that should be met. 9) The goal of the parent education is strengthening and educating the parent (or caregiver) so that he or she is better able to facilitate the development of caring, competent, and healthy children (p.284-285).”  I feel that the National Extension Parenting Education Model provides a wonderful core essence of the value and guidance that parenting education can and should provide.

Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2013). Parent education to strengthen families and reduce the risk of                                          maltreatment. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.

Darling, C.A., & Cassidy, D. (2014). Family Life Education: Working with Families across the Lifespan, Third Edition. Long                    Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.