The Incredible Years (IY) Basic Parent’s Programme is the core component of the IY training series. This programme focuses on areas where parents are doing well with their children already, building on this, and demonstrating new skills that parents can use at home on a regular basis.
Parents learn about emotional regulation for children, and how to help their children grow and develop socially. The IY Basic Parent’s programme is delivered by experienced professionals from Clarecare’s Family Support Team. The programme is delivered over 12 weeks for 2 hours per week. It is open to Mums, Dads and others who are caring for children. As this is a school based programme, it is open to parents/carers who have a child/children attending a school where IY Teacher Classroom Management (IY TCM) training has been undertaken by school staff.
School’s participating in the IY TCM training advertise the IY parent’s programme. Each parenting group can accommodate a maximum number of 15 participants. Participants in these programmes come from a variety of family settings and ethnic backgrounds.
The IY Basic parenting programme involves group led discussions about everyday challenges and concerns that parents may have. Video examples depicting real life scenarios between parents and children are used to introduce new ideas to parents and offer suggestions about managing children’s behaviour at home. Group discussions, guided by facilitators, give parents an opportunity to share their experiences.
Parents who have completed the IY Basic Parenting programme have reported finding tips from other parents and group facilitators to be of great benefit.
Participants also enjoy:
- Themed goodie bags related to topics being covered in the programme.
- Weekly handouts.
- Meeting other parents.
- Lunch after the programme each week.
- Availability of assistance towards childcare if needed.
- Availability of The Incredible Years Parent’s book by Dr. Carolyn Webster-Stratton.
The IY Basic Parenting programme explores the following topics:
- Play
- Praise and Rewards
- Limit Setting
- Handling Misbehaviour
Further details on the above in relation to the IY Basic parenting programme are available to download if you click on the following link: Incredible Years Clare Basic Parenting Programme Information
Getting Started: Facilitators arrange to meet parents who have secured a place on the IY Basic parenting programme individually, before the programme begins. At this stage, parents are asked to fill in some forms with facilitators, if they are happy to do so. All information shared is entirely confidential and is used for research and information purposes only. Parents can chose not to complete forms but still fully participate in the programme. A coffee morning is also held for the group as an introduction to the programme, and to help parents feel relaxed and welcome.
Video Taping: In order to attain accreditation from the IY committee in Seattle USA, the facilitators need to tape themselves in action in each session. The camera is on the facilitators only and the material is viewed only to examine facilitators skills.
Quotes from Previous Participants
” My child understoon & really responded to things like praise, play & good attention”
“I am very happy & positive in what I have now achieved”
