SKILLFUL PARENTING

For more information:

Beatrice ogutu Regional Program Manager, Child Protection
Gold Rock Park, Mombasa Road next to Turfsteel complex P.O Box 13892 - 00800, Nairobi, Kenya. Ofce: +254 (20) 206 30 15 / 17 / 18 Ofce mobile + 254 731682596/682598 Mobile: + 254 733 790 335 Email: beatrice.ogutu@icsafrica.org Skype: Beatrice ogutu ICS

Maaike Stolte Program Manager Child Protection

Smallepad 32, 3811 MG AMERSFOORT The Netherlands Ofce: + 31 33 303 0250 Mobile: + 31 6 424 026 04 Email: maaike.stolte@ics.nl Skype: maaike.stolte

Check our website for all our activities: www.ics.nl

ICS-folder-november2012-DEF2.indd 1-2 25-03-13 20:32

Skillful parenting
ICS (Investing in Children and their Societies) strives towards a better future for children in rural Africa and Asia. Through its projects and programs, it builds on a sustainable growth in welfare and wellbeing by simultaneously investing in economic and social opportunities and needs. The central building blocks of the work of ICS are social business, child protection and skillful parenting.
ICS changes the lives of children living in poor rural areas by changing the parental skills of their caretakers. Following the recommendations of a UN study on violence against children (Pinheiro, P.S., The United Nations Study on Violence against Children, 2006, Geneva), ICS believes that parents need to feel the Power to Parent to change the future of their children in a positive way. By working with them on how to be(come) a better parent, the Skillful Parenting Approach of ICS Contributes to the prevention of child abuse, neglect and family disintegration. Skillful Parenting is embedded in a larger Child Protection Program, working with three target groups: (1) children, (2) parents / caretakers and (3) schools / institutions. Through this program, ICS creates a safe environment where children can grow up to their best potential. The behavior change model regarding Skillful Parenting (figure 1) is based upon a positive approach to parenting, and the support towards parents to be critical and aware about their parenting role. Furthermore, it builds upon the evidence based understanding that changes in parenting can be only achieved through a behavior change model. It the ICS model, both internal and external factors are being analyzed and discussed. In the skillful parenting interventions in peer groups, ICS starts to address positive parenting with support of around six basic modules. Additionally, peer groups, select topics for parenting issues like basic social services for children like education, healthcare and future planning for children. ICS develops modules in cooperation with expert teams on the identified topics. The topics identified do inform the CBO on awareness raising campaigns on parenting issues at community level. The module developed on the topic still starts with the understanding that change will only take place if parents are convinced of the need for change and of their capacity to change.

How our Skillful Parenting approach works

Basic Skillful Parenting Modules

Roles & Responsibilities

Self esteem & Affirmation

Community Based Organization (CBO)

p
local leadership/ government

Discipline & Values

Communication

Translate to local situation Parent Peer Groups (20)

Family budgeting

Child protection

Representative (3)

Current parenting based on culteral religious & societal context Awareness Raising campaigns Knowledge on skillful parenting External factors; community leaders and i.e. education actors

Six basic modules The intervention of ICS on Skillful Parenting starts with six basic modules:

! The roles and responsibilities as a positive parent

addresses how to create a trusting environment, creates commitment on the course and understanding on childrens behaviour and development Self-esteem and affirmation @ creates recognition of the importance of affirmation in parenting and encourages a healthy self-esteem in the family # Communications develops a healthy and effective communication in the home $ Discipline and values creates understanding of the importance of values in the home, communicate values and understand principles of effective discipline % Family budgeting creates understanding of the implications of budgeting for the family Child protection ^ creates understanding how to protect children from risky situations and how to act in cases of violation of rights of children

Community Based Organizations (CBOs) To be able to reach out to a community on a larger scale, ICS has experienced that working through a Community Based Organization (CBO) has the most impact. CBOs often have a longer standing presence in a community and therefore are able to provide long term support and thus create sustainable change. ICS and its partners also work with ECD centres, Adult Literacy Programs and School and Youth Clubs as entry point. Parent Peer Groups and Representatives In the implementation of Skillful Parenting, parent peer groups are organised from existing groups, like farmer groups in Kenya, saving groups in Cambodia, and solar enterprise groups in Tanzania. Parent groups usually consist of 20 members, who select 3 representatives to organise follow-through of parent peer groups with support of CBOs. Each parent support group is organised following its specific possibilities and preferences. The CBO will assist in getting expert information when the group identifies new topics.

Parenting peer groups Proud2B & Thematic modules: Family budgetting, transition to secondary education for girls, etc

Social comparison and joined reflection Intention to change Willingness

Skiful parenting (changed behaviour)

Belief in self-efficacy Skills development Attitudes

figure 1

ICS-folder-november2012-DEF2.indd 3-4

25-03-13 20:32