1.1

SESSION 1 What being a parent’s really like 1.2

What ground rules do we want in this group to help it run smoothly? GROUP AGREEMENT What ground rules do we want in this group to help it run smoothly? 1.3

TIME OUT FOR PARENTS – THE PRIMARY YEARS AIMS TO: increase your confidence in your skills and abilities to ‘parent’ help the relationship between you and your child be even better than it is now teach skills to help your children to be more secure emotionally and to help raise their self-esteem identify the best way to effectively discipline your child 1.4

TIME OUT FOR PARENTS – THE PRIMARY YEARS AIMS TO: discuss a variety of issues that affect children and their parents encourage everyone on the course to support each other give you tools to help you in your relationship with your child’s other parent or carer provide you with greater support where you would like it 1.5

SESSION PLAN The goal of parenting Life is a roller coaster All children are different Temperament What children really need 1.6

We are trying to prepare our children for adulthood THE GOAL OF PARENTING We are trying to prepare our children for adulthood 1.7

THE ROLLER COASTER OF PARENTING 1.8

OUR EXPERIENCE OF BECOMING A PARENT Think about any: Surprises Disappointments Hopes Joys of being a parent so far 1.9

BREAK 1.10

TEMPERAMENT What is temperament? Temperament is the word used to describe the emotional style and adaptability that children are born with. 1.11

THREE DIFFERENT TEMPERAMENT TYPES Easy/flexible child (I can) Difficult/active child (I won’t) Shy/slow-to-warm up child (I can’t) 1.12

WHAT CHILDREN REALLY NEED What do children need? 1.13

CHILDREN’S NEEDS PHYSICAL NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS SOCIAL NEEDS ESTEEM NEEDS 1.14

REFLECTION We have got to know each other a bit. We have compiled a group agreement. I have explained the aims of the course. We have thought about the goal of parenting. We have explored temperament. We have looked at children’s basic needs and how we might meet them. 1.15

FOCUS FOR THE WEEK What was your child’s temperament like as a baby? What was your child’s temperament like as a toddler? How would you describe him or her now? What do you enjoy about your child? What do you find challenging about your child? 1.16

NEXT WEEK Next week we will be looking at the emotional needs of children and how we can try to meet them. 1.17