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Unit 1, Part 1 (Child-Centered Time)
Child-centered time is time parents spend in activities with their children that focuses on the child’s interests. One important strategy for engaging children during child-centered time is following the child’s lead. Watch how the father follows his 3-year-old daughter’s lead as they make chocolate milk.
Unit 1, Part 2 (Family Routines and Traditions)
Reading together with your children every day is a very important family routine. Reading supports a child’s development, is child centered, and teaches family values. Watch how the parent in the following scene supports the growth and development of her children through reading.
Unit 1, Part 3 (Praise and Encouragement)
A guiding principle of the Chicago Parent Program is: If you want to see a behavior again, give it your attention. It’s important for parents to think about the feelings and behaviors they really value in their children and support them by giving those behaviors more attention. Watch how the parent in this scene let’s her child know the behavior she likes and values.
Unit 2, Part 1 (Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say)
Often, children do not do what their parents ask because the parents have been inconsistent in following through with their commands in the past. Children learn quickly that they can get out of doing something if their parents can be distracted or talked out of it. What do you think the child learns from this experience with her father?
Unit 2, Part 3 (Ignore and Distract)
No one likes to be ignored, especially a child. However, research has shown that if parents consistently ignore certain behaviors, they are less likely to see them again in the future. Watch how the mother in the next scene ignores her son’s tantrum. Also, notice what the mother does as soon as her son stops his tantrum.
Unit 2, Part 4 (Using Time-Outs)
There are two common reasons why many parents think that time-outs are not effective for stopping misbehavior. Some parents think time-outs are ineffective because they believe children don’t care about being placed on time-out. Other parents think time-outs are ineffective because they cannot be used in public, where many children misbehave. Watch how the mother places her son on time-out in a laundromat. Does this child seem to care about being placed on time-out? How effective is this time-out for stopping his misbehavior?
Unit 3, Part 1 (Reducing Your Stress)
Stress can affect how parents handle their child’s misbehavior. Watch how the mother’s stress affects the way she handles her frustration with her son.
Unit 3, Part 2 (Problem-Solving)
Solving problems with other people – without causing more conflict or hurt feelings – is a very important skill and one that does not always come naturally but can be learned. Watch how these parents try to work on a problem. What suggestions do you have that would make this problem-solving effort more effective?