Center for Schools and Communities • 275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200 • Camp Hill, PA 17011 • (717) 763-1661

December 2015

News Brief News BriefFamily Support

Supporting caregivers through a triadic relationship enables them to influence the social-emotional

competence of their child by growing their parental and child development knowledge. The relationship that exists between a caregiver and their child is called a dyad. As professionals enter the relationship to offer support, a triad is formed. The primary purpose of the triad is to support the dyad. Supporting families through a triadic approach, allows the facilitator to set up experiences that:

• Support mutually enjoyed experiences that expand the parent’s child development knowledge

• Promote a sense of trust within the dyad

• Influence the environment so that children feel safe both physically and emotionally

• Encourage the caregiver to consistently be attuned, emotionally available and responsive to the needs of the child

The Center for the Study of Social Policy provides research that provides evidence that children’s cognitive development, language skills, mental

Triadic Relationships: How Caregivers Are Supported

health and school readiness is linked to their social-emotional competence.

When the triadic approach is put into action, a series of strategies are utilized. Practitioners are always encouraged to implement the strategies by using the least intrusive and suggestive tactics first. Below is a list of triadic strategies in order from least intrusive to most intrusive.

Establish a Dyadic Context – Have activities and materials that the parent and child can do together.

Affirm/Acknowledge Parenting Competence – Interactions are supported and warmly recognized and expanded upon in respect to actions of child competence.

Focus Attention – The child is doing something that is showing his developmental competence and you are going to point it out to the caregiver (focus attention).

Provide Developmental Information – Information about the child’s agenda is given through labeling or interpretation within the context of the child’s play and interaction.

Model – The facilitator momentarily acts as the lead with permission from the primary caregiver.

Suggest – Offer opportunities to expand learning.

When using these strategies, it is important to ask yourself the following questions:• Have I considered the learning styles

and needs of both caregiver and child?

• Have I chosen the least suggestive strategy?

• After choosing the strategy, did I wait, watch and readjust my approach?

• Is there a balance between the amount of support offered and needed?

• Does the experience of the approach support competence, confidence and mutual enjoyment?

Learn more about:• Partnering with parents• Dyadic and triadic relationships

www.pa-strengthening-families.org

Center for Schools and Communities • 275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200 • Camp Hill, PA 17011 • (717) 763-1661

The Importance of Reflective Supervision

CTF-Funded Program Spotlight: Nurturing Parenting Programs

All PAT affiliates are required to provide at least two hours of reflective supervision to full-time

parent educators every month. What does reflective supervision look like to you? Have you ever considered that reflective supervision is key in:• Developing and retaining high

quality staff• Preventing burnout• Reaching outcomes set for the

affiliate and with families

Rebecca Parlakian (2001) has identified the “building blocks of reflective supervision” as reflection, collaboration and regularity. But what do these terms mean in the work you do supporting families?

The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) provides grants to organizations throughout Pennsylvania that

are implementing evidence based and evidence informed primary and secondary child abuse prevention programs. Many grantees utilize programs which support parents as they learn about child development and practice positive parenting skills. Over the next several months, a program used by CTF grantees will be highlighted to share information about some of the successful parent parenting education programs that are supporting families in Pennsylvania. This month, the featured program is Nurturing Parenting Prorgams. There are currently five CTF grantees implementing this evidence based program.

Nurturing Parenting Programs, developed by Dr. Stephen Bavolek, is designed to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. They are “a family-centered trauma informed initiative designed to build nurturing parenting skills as an alternative to abusive and neglecting parenting and child-

Reflection – Intentionally thinking and talking about complex emotions, thoughts and behaviors that emerge from the work with families.

Collaboration – A supervisory relationship based on trust, mutuality, authenticity and partnership.

Regularity – Supervision sessions occur on a consistent, scheduled basis.

To learn more about these terms and the expectations of reflective supervision from the National Center, review the Quality Assurance Guidelines found in the Supervisor’s Handbook on the PAT e-portal. In addition, if you have questions regarding supervisors who carry a

rearing practices” (Family Development Resources, Inc., 2015, para. 2).

There are various types of Nurturing Parenting Programs that are tailored for specific populations including but not limited to teen parents, families in alcohol treatment and recovery, Hmong families, military families, fathers and African American families. The programs span different levels of prevention including primary, secondary and tertiary prevention levels. Nurturing Parenting Programs can be delivered in the home, in groups or as a combination of in-home and group instruction. Sessions include “activities to foster positive parenting skills and self-nurturing, home practice exercises, family nurturing time and activities to promote positive brain development in children birth to 18 years” (Family Development Resources, Inc., 2015, para. 4). There are also lessons for the children to complete in concurrent sessions that involve activities to promote family communication and to build empathy.

While the program does not mention the Strengthening Families Protective

caseload, visit the Affiliate Updates link from the home page to access Technical Assistance Brief #3.

ResourceParlakian, R. (2001). Look, listen, and learn: Reflective supervision and relationship-based work. Washington, D.C: ZERO TO THREE.

Factors framework specifically, lessons are founded on six proactive morals and values that align with the framework (Bavolek & Rogers, 2012, p.6). The values include strategies and techniques for parents to build a positive self-concept, regulate and express emotions, develop a dignified system of discipline and increase positive interactions among family members (Bavolek & Rodgers, p.6).

Children’s Trust Fund grantees are using a variety of Nurturing Parenting Programs in their CTF-funded programs including Nurturing Skills for Families, Nurturing Skills for Teen Parents and Nurturing Fathers in both group and home based formats. They report that parents in the program are building positive parenting skills and increasing positive interactions with their children. During the lessons, parents have the opportunity to reflect on how they were parented and how that influences their parenting. This is a powerful exercise for parents who may want to raise their children in a more nurturing a stable environment than they were raised. Group based sessions

provide opportunities for developing support networks among the participating parents, while home based sessions allow the parent educator and the parent to customize the lessons to the family’s needs.

Learn more about:In-Depth Analysis of How the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Are Incorporated into the Nurturing Parenting ProgramsNurturing Parenting Programs

ResourcesBavolek, S. & Rogers, M. (2012). The Nurturing Parenting Programs and the six protective factors. Retrieved November 16, 2015 from: http://nurturingparenting.com/images/cmsfiles/nppsixprotectivefactors.pdf Family Development Resources Inc. (2015). What are nurturing programs? Retrieved November 16, 2015 from: http://nurturingparenting.com/NPLevelsPrevent.html

Engage Older Kids in Cooking• Teach older responsible kids how

to cook safely. Teach them never to leave the kitchen while they are using the stove or oven. Instruct older kids to use oven mitts or potholders to remove items from the oven or stove and teach them how to use a microwave safely. Always supervise children in the kitchen.

Safe Kids Corner

It is that time of year again, holiday season! If you have little ones in your house or visiting this holiday season, keep these tips in mind:

Decorations• Kids are curious and will want to

play with the ornaments on the tree, so you might as well prepare. Move the ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks towards the top of the tree. That makes room at the bottom for the ones that are safer for young kids.

• Lights are one of the best parts of holiday decorating. Take a look at the ones on your tree and in and around your home for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets.

Blow Out Candles and Store Matches Out of Reach• Keep holiday candles at least 12

inches away from anything that can burn, and don’t forget to blow them out when you leave the room or before you go to sleep.

• Make a habit of placing matches and lighters in a safe place, out of children’s reach.

Keep Harmful Plants Out of Reach• Plants can spruce up your holiday

decorating, but keep those that may be poisonous out of reach of children or pets. This includes mistletoe berries, holly berry, and Jerusalem cherry.

The Perfect Toy for the Right Age• Consider a child’s age when

purchasing a toy or game this holiday season. It is worth a second to read the instructions and warning labels to make sure the gift is just right.

• Before you have settled on the perfect toy, check to make sure there are no small parts or other potential choking hazards.

Keep Button Batteries Away from Young Kids• Keep a special eye on small

pieces, including button batteries that may be included in electronic toys or musical greeting cards.

Prevent Spills with Pot Handles• Kids love to reach, so to prevent

burns from hot holiday food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from the edge.

‘Tis the Season

Family Support at the Center for Schools and Communities provides training and technical assistance to Parents as Teachers providers, Children’s Trust Funds grantees and the Strengthening Families Leadership Team.Partnerships Project Manager Karen Shanoski

(717) 763-1661 x139 kshanoski@csc.csiu.orgFamily Support Specialist Wenda Deardorff

(717) 763-1661 x116 wdeardorff@csc.csiu.org

Family Support Technical Assistant Coordinators • Children’s Trust Fund and Strengthening

Families Rijelle Kraft

(717) 763-1661 x221 rkraft@csc.csiu.org

• Parents as Teachers Allyson Fulton

(717) 763-1661 x146 afulton@csc.csiu.org

• Parents as Teachers and Strengthening Families Tiedra Marshall

717-763-1661 x103 tmarshall@csc.csiu.org

Pennsylvania Parents as Teachers is based at the Center for Schools and Communities. Learn more at the following sites:Children’s Trust Fund

Strengthening Families

Parents as TeachersPAT Foundational and Model Implementation For new parent educators of affiliate programsJanuary 25-29, 2016, Camp Hill, Pa.February 1-5, 2016, Washington, Pa.March 14-18, 2016, Camp Hill, Pa.May 2-6, 2016, Homestead, Pa.June 27-July 1, 2016, Camp Hill, Pa.

PAT FoundationalFor new approved users January 25-27, 2016, Camp Hill, Pa.February 1-3, 2016, Washington, Pa.March 14-16, 2016, Camp Hill, Pa.May 2-4, 2016, Homestead, Pa.June 27-29, 2016, Camp Hill, Pa.

PAT Model ImplementationFor new supervisorsJanuary 28-29 Camp Hill, Pa.February 4-5 Washington, Pa.March 17-18 Camp Hill, Pa.May 5-6 Homestead, Pa.June 30-July 1 Camp Hill, Pa.

PA Foundational II: 3 Years to KindergartenApril 4-5 Camp Hill, Pa. June 6-7 Homestead, Pa.

Family Support Family Support WebinarsFirst Wednesday of the month 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM January 6 TBAFebruary 3 TBA

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