A Leader's Guide To
Exploring Parenting 
Developed by Roy Littlejohn Associates, Inc. 
Kellene U. Bruce, Project Director 
Katherine Kenny, Assistant Project Director and 
Curriculum Specialist 
HEW 105-76-1178 

Adapted from Exploring Childhood Program 
Education Development Center, Inc.

 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families 
Head Start Bureau 

DHHS Publication No. (ACF) 95-31137 
Issued 1 978 
Reprinted 1995
Table of Contents 

INTRODUCTION
Philosophy
Approach to Adult Education

THE EXPLORING PARENTING PROGRAM
Parents as Prime Educators
Program Goals
Program Overview

LEADING EXPLORING PARENTING SESSIONS
Role of the Group Leader
Beginning the Program
Using Individual Session Plans
Using Parent Materials
Setting Goals and Evaluating Progress
Techniques for Leading and Learning
Using a Resource Person
Bringing the Program to an End

ATTACHMENTS
Film Transcripts
    Sara Has Down's Syndrome
    Little Blocks
    Racing Cars
    Clay Play
    All in the Game
    Craig at Home
    Rachel at Home
    Michelle at Home
    Seiko at Home
    Around the Way with Kareema

Record Transcripts
    A Case of Family Stress

INTRODUCTION  

It has been said that our children are this nation's most precious natural resource--and so they are. But the reservoirs from which these resources are drawn are the nation's pa rents. Parenting is one of the most important roles that we fulfill in life. However, all too often, we enter parenthood totally unprepared for the duties, obligations and responsibilities that come with the "precious little bundle." The Exploring Program is designed to help parents become more aware of the parenting skills they possess, to enhance those skills, and to expand the choices which parents have in their parenting roles.

The child and his family represent the foundation of our society. While many other institutions influence the growth and development of the child in America, the family remains the primary develop mental institution, and parents are still the prime educators of their children. Parents instill personal and social values in their children, present models for their affective and cognitive development, and provide the emotional and intellectual environment in which the children mature. It is, therefore, important for parents to be knowledge able about the developmental stages through which children progress, to understand how a child sees the world and the causes of various behaviors in children, and to be aware of variations and alter natives in child-rearing practices.

One of the underlying assumptions of Exploring Parenting is that individuals must feel good about Themselves and where they are in their development before they can interact in a positive manner with others. For this reason, the program focuses on the parent and on increasing the parent's ability to interact with his or her child in a way that will foster positive child development.

PHILOSOPHY

Child-rearing practices differ from culture to culture- -and in America, where many cultures are represented- -from family to family. There are as many parenting approaches, philosophies and techniques as there are parents in America. There is no one best way to parent. Each individual must choose the style which best fits his personal background and temperament,and then vary techniques as the situation and/or personal values change.

Although there is general agreement that there is no "right way" to parent, parents are constantly offered advice and opinions from numerous "experts", ranging from mothers- in-law to nationally recognized child development specialists.

In the face of such authority parents often feel insecure and uncertain about their personal judgment and ability regarding child-rearing. Parenting encourages parents to select approaches an techniques that feel "right" for them, since they are the persons most capable of determining their child's future through daily decisions and interactions. As parents make choices concerning child-rearing practices, it is helpful for them to have information about child growth and development and to share that information with other parents. Exploring Parenting affords parents the opportunity to do both in an informal group setting.

APPROACH TO ADULT EDUCATION

What does one need to know when preparing to work with adults in a learning situation? Educators have come to believe that people gain the most from a learning experience when they are actively
involved in the learning process. Participants will gain the most from those sessions which approach them as adult human beings who will respond to new information from the perspective of their own individual backgrounds, experiences and resources. Adults respond to learning from three different levels.

Adults must be viewed as being responsible, self-directed and independent. They resent being talked down to and being told what to do and how to do it. They must be treated with respect, given opportunities to learn in situations which are non-judgmental and which allow them to explore those areas in which they are most interested, and given a chance to determine for themselves what they need to learn.

New information is generally picked up and put to use most readily when it is related to past experience and present interest. Adults look at learning as a means of improving their ability to handle problems and situations which they are currently experiencing. The most appropriate techniques for working with adults in a learning situation include:

· case studios
· observation and analysis of behavior
· role playing
· brainstorming
· skills practice

Adult learners should be involved in the goal-setting process and allowed to-evaluate their on progress toward, their, objectives. The group leader is responsible for assisting adult participants to find ways to measure their on progress by evaluating sessions as they are completed and by noting changes in their behavior as they progress through the program.

THE EXPLORING PARENTING PROGRAM 

PARENTS AS PRIME EDUCATORS

As prime educators of their children, and as the major socializing force in our society, parents carry a heavy responsibility for their own continued development and for the on-going development of their children.

Before they can have a positive impact on their children as they grow and develop, parents them selves must have opportunities to grow and develop in positive ways. Parents need to be involved in activities which help them to learn more about themselves and to do some of the things in which they are interested. Parents need opportunities to develop their personal goals for themselves and their children, and to think about their values and how these values affect their children.

Parenting is a very difficult task, and one for which most of us are unprepared. All parents need help in understanding the needs of their children, how the children's needs sometimes conflict with their own, and how to best resolve such conflicts.

Parents need to be provided with a wide range of ideas for suggesting and then carrying out planned activities with their children; they need opportunities to develop skills in supporting child initiated activities; and they sometimes need guidance and support in working with their children at home.

The Exploring Parenting Program is designed to help parents increase their knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Parents already possess most of these skills, but many are unaware of the degree to which they have and use these skills everyday or of the importance of these skills in supporting positive, healthy development in their children. Exploring Parenting helps parents to become more aware of the ski11s and knowledge which they already possess, and to enhance those areas in which they feel somewhat insecure.

In order to gain the most from activities, parents should have some voice in planning and developing them. They need opportunities to develop increased awareness of their own needs as individuals and as parents, to engage in learning activities which are responsive to these needs, and to share ideas and feelings with other parents in a setting which fosters trust, respect and support. Exploring Parenting provides parents with these opportunities.

PROGRAM GOALS

The goals for parents in the program are based on the fact that much of positive parenting relates directly to the parent's understanding of and sensitivity to the child and his or her feelings, coupled with an understanding of and sensitivity to their own emotions and reactions. The goals for Exploring Parenting and the rationale behind them are discussed in the following paragraphs.

To get to know yourself better. In order to recognize and respond to the needs of another, more dependent human being, parents need a full sense of themselves- -who they are, where they came from and where they are going. Getting to know yourself involves: reflecting on your past experience; recognizing the influences on you of your family, culture, and society; tuning in to your individual temperament and style; identifying your needs; clarifying your values; and establishing goals.

To get to know your child better. Only if parents know their child well, can they support, guide, and care for him appropriately. In order to get to know their child, parents need to sharpen their observation skills and pick up the many verbal and non-verbal messages- their child sends them. Getting to know a child requires not only understanding the typical pattern of child development and normal behavior at various stages, but also the particular way the individual child is developing.

To use this knowledge in making decisions about how to raise your child. Each day parents make decisions about how to raise their child. The more in formation they have about themselves and their child, the better the decision is likely to be. When parents consider their values, goals, abilities, and needs as well as the needs, abilities and desires of their child, they can more readily make decisions about how to parent and are more likely to feel comfortable with their decisions.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Exploring Parenting represents a unique approach to parent education in that the materials and the suggested instructional techniques give recognition to the fact that there are many diverse styles of parenting, founded on one's cultural background, personal value system and indiVidual differences in both parents and children, and that there is no one ''right'' way to parent.

The program is built around the knowledge that parents already possess a wealth-of experiences, knowledge and skills, and addresses itself to enhancing existing competencies through a variety of activities.

The instructional approach employed in the program is based on exploration and participation by parents in a non-threatening, non-judgmental setting. Parent participation in terms of planning and conducting the sessions is also a key feature of the program.

The program is designed as a series of 20 three-hour sessions requiring the active involvement of parent participants. An introductory session for the orientation of parents. to the program is to be designed by group leaders, and a final session for graduation and/or celebration may be added. The program combines the provision of information with the exploration of personal values, feelings, and reactions to situations. Parents respond to information about children, parenting, and a variety of behaviors that we find in every day family life.

Approach to Learning

The Exploring Parenting program emphasizes active parent involvement in all phases of the learning. experience, from participation in discussions and activities to planning and leading sessions. At home activities, which parent participants can engage in with their children, are also stressed.