Event Planning

Thinking about running parenting groups in your area but not sure where to start

Have a look through the CLEAR Guide available from Mission Australia Miller Pathways Communities for Children project. Designed to be used for parents or community workers who want to start a playgroup, parenting group,a parents' self help group etc

CLEAR_MANUAL Final May 09

» Download Group Preparation Planning template [80KB PDF]

1. Look over our calendar and back into the archives to get some ideas of what people have completed and are currently doing. Contact details are listed for the most recent funding approvals.
   » Go to Calendar
2. What practical aspects do you need to consider such as : venue, time of day, childcare.
   » Download Group Preparation Planning template [PDF 80KB]
3. Who will lead the group? We have list of approved and/or accredited leaders who can be contacted by you and your organisation to discuss your parenting initiative.
   » Contact us to receive a copy of the list
4. Evaluations - for easy to use pre- and post-questionnaires for evaluating your group.
   » Contact us to receive a copy of the list
5. Do you need funding to support your parenting initiative? If your organisation services families in either South East or Inner West Sydney then you may be appropriate for funding.
   » More about funding
6. You may find the below information helpful. It concerns target group, structure and evaluation for the most frequently funded parenting programmes: Triple P, Toddlers and TIPS.
   
   

   Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

   Target Group	Structure	Evaluation
   Parents with Children aged 3-10years	8 weeks = Weeks 1-4 - 2.5hr group meetings + Wks 5-7 - 20min phone calls + Wk 8 - 2.5hr group meeting	Parent Concerns Questionnaire (Pre and Post)

   Triple P is the most popular Australian parenting program that has been designed at the University of Queensland, by Professor Matt Sanders. Most parents report that after attending the program they feel more confident to tackle common behaviours by using any of the series of 17 strategies covered in the course. They also report feeling less stressed as a parent. The course covers ways of encouraging enjoyable behaviour, as well as managing misbehaviour.

   Program materials: Pre-recorded video to illustrate strategies, overhead materials for introducing topics and summaries, the parent workbook which is kept by families as a resource after the program has finished, and the group facilitator to demonstrate techniques and lead the discussion.

   Topics addressed: 1. The Power of Positive Parenting, 2. Promoting Children’s Development, 3. Managing Misbehaviour, 4. Planning Ahead, 5-7. Implementing Parenting Routines, 8. Bringing it All Together

   
   

   TIPS: Tips and Ideas for Parenting Skills

   Target Group	Structure	Evaluation
   Parents with Children aged 2-10 years	6 weeks = 6 x 2.5hour meetings	Parent Concerns Questionnaire (Pre and Post)

   TIPS is a New Zealand designed program that explores common parenting topics in a relaxed and conversational group format. Parents who attend this course often report that they enjoy the opportunity to discuss being a parent, the challenges and different strategies in a group.

   The first topic is Communicating and Understanding Feelings, and then the group chooses the remaining topics from the following options: Lets work together; Instead of hitting what can I do?; Dealing with tantrums; Responsible children; Keeping kids honest; How to make children feel good about themselves; Good labels bad labels; Teenagers; Family fun.

   
   

   Toddlers: Terrible or Terrific!

   Target Group	Structure	Evaluation
   Parents with Children aged 12months-3years	6 weeks = 6 x 2.5 hour meetings	Parent Concerns Questionnaire (Pre and Post)

   The Toddlers Group has been designed by the Northern Sydney Child and Family Service and running since 1985. Parents who attend this group often report that they feel more relaxed about their toddler’s behaviour, and more able to understand why the behaviour is occurring. The group aims to assist parents to develop a sound understanding of the developmental stage of toddlers, from the perspective of the child, and to choose strategies and solutions that fit with their parenting style.

   Program Materials: Trained facilitator to lead the discussion, overhead materials and a parent workbook which is kept by families as a resource.

   Topics addressed: Social and Emotional Development; Tucker without Tantrums; Toilet Training; Speech and Language Development; Sleep; Parents are People Too!; Discipline and Tantrums; and Helping Toddlers Cope with Change