Definition1:
1: the act of protecting : the state of being protected;
2 a : one that protects b : supervision or support of one that is smaller and weaker
There are many structural forces that can be brought into play to offer support and protection to children and their families—for example, grandparents stepping in to care for children while parents are at work, providing ready access to adequate nutrition, and having communities that are safe and affordable places to live. When families are in less than ideal situations, programs such as Project Home2 provide clean and safe emergency shelter to families with children through largely volunteer efforts. Formal parent education is another form of support and protection—providing information and practical tools to help parents nurture and guide their children in ways that promote healthy development. For example, home visiting programs such as the Family Check-Up3, 4 have been shown to increase maternal involvement with their young children and bring about use of more effective behavior support strategies. A more widely distributed parent education program is called Triple P-Positive Parenting Program5, 6. Triple P has been found to significantly improve parenting practices and children’s behavior. Although the formal research is not yet all in, here in Minnesota we are unique in providing an Early Childhood Family Education7 program which—anecdotally—I know many parents who credit with providing much needed social support for themselves, useful parenting tips, and safe and constructive learning opportunities for their children.
Sources:
1: Merriam Webster online dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protection
2: Saint Paul Area Council of Churches. http://www.spacc.org/index.asp?SEC=%7BAD9C1F79-60E0-4098-BA3F-BE26421F3A9A%7D&
3: Dishion, T. J., Shaw, D., Connell, A., Gardner, F., Weaver, C., & Wilson, M. (2008). The family check-up with high-risk indigent families: Preventing problem behavior by increasing parents’ positive behavior support in early childhood. Child Development, 79(5), 1395-1414.
4: Shaw, D. S., Dishion, T. J., Supplee, L., Gardner, F., & Arnds, K. (2006). Randomized trial of a family-centered approach to the prevention of early conduct problems: 2-year effects of the family check-up in early childhood. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(1), 1-9.
5: de Graaf, I., Speetjens, P., Smit, F., de Wolff, M., & Tavecchio, L. (2008). Effectiveness of the triple p positive parenting program on behavioral problems in children: A meta-analysis. Behavioral Modification, 32(5), 714-735.
6: Fletcher, R., Freeman, E., & Matthey, S. (2011). The impact of behavioural parent training on fathers’ parenting: A meta-analysis of the triple p-positive parenting program. Fathering, 9(3), 291-312.
7: Minneapolis ECFE. http://ecfe.mpls.k12.mn.us/ ; Saint Paul ECFE. http://ecfe.spps.org/
In thinking about the many possible ways to offer protection and support to children and their families, what activities are most appealing to you? Why?
***feel free to do your own post and/or build off of others' posts to create a discussion forum***
1: the act of protecting : the state of being protected;
2 a : one that protects b : supervision or support of one that is smaller and weaker
There are many structural forces that can be brought into play to offer support and protection to children and their families—for example, grandparents stepping in to care for children while parents are at work, providing ready access to adequate nutrition, and having communities that are safe and affordable places to live. When families are in less than ideal situations, programs such as Project Home2 provide clean and safe emergency shelter to families with children through largely volunteer efforts. Formal parent education is another form of support and protection—providing information and practical tools to help parents nurture and guide their children in ways that promote healthy development. For example, home visiting programs such as the Family Check-Up3, 4 have been shown to increase maternal involvement with their young children and bring about use of more effective behavior support strategies. A more widely distributed parent education program is called Triple P-Positive Parenting Program5, 6. Triple P has been found to significantly improve parenting practices and children’s behavior. Although the formal research is not yet all in, here in Minnesota we are unique in providing an Early Childhood Family Education7 program which—anecdotally—I know many parents who credit with providing much needed social support for themselves, useful parenting tips, and safe and constructive learning opportunities for their children.
Sources:
1: Merriam Webster online dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protection
2: Saint Paul Area Council of Churches. http://www.spacc.org/index.asp?SEC=%7BAD9C1F79-60E0-4098-BA3F-BE26421F3A9A%7D&
3: Dishion, T. J., Shaw, D., Connell, A., Gardner, F., Weaver, C., & Wilson, M. (2008). The family check-up with high-risk indigent families: Preventing problem behavior by increasing parents’ positive behavior support in early childhood. Child Development, 79(5), 1395-1414.
4: Shaw, D. S., Dishion, T. J., Supplee, L., Gardner, F., & Arnds, K. (2006). Randomized trial of a family-centered approach to the prevention of early conduct problems: 2-year effects of the family check-up in early childhood. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(1), 1-9.
5: de Graaf, I., Speetjens, P., Smit, F., de Wolff, M., & Tavecchio, L. (2008). Effectiveness of the triple p positive parenting program on behavioral problems in children: A meta-analysis. Behavioral Modification, 32(5), 714-735.
6: Fletcher, R., Freeman, E., & Matthey, S. (2011). The impact of behavioural parent training on fathers’ parenting: A meta-analysis of the triple p-positive parenting program. Fathering, 9(3), 291-312.
7: Minneapolis ECFE. http://ecfe.mpls.k12.mn.us/ ; Saint Paul ECFE. http://ecfe.spps.org/
In thinking about the many possible ways to offer protection and support to children and their families, what activities are most appealing to you? Why?
***feel free to do your own post and/or build off of others' posts to create a discussion forum***