1. Positive Solutions for Families
Session 1
Making a Connection!
Making It Happen!

2. Positive Solutions for Families 3 Sessions
Session 1 – Making a Connection! Making it Happen!
Session 2 – Why Do Children Do What They Do? And How Do I Teach Them What to Do?
Session 3 – Facing the Challenge

3. What’s Happening Today
Meet each other and learn about our families
Discuss goals and ground rules we might have for our group
Discuss the importance of building positive relationships with our children
Discuss the “power” of using positive comments and encouragement with our children
Discuss the use of play as a powerful parening practice and it’s link to children’s behavior.
Review: Things to Try at Home

4. Getting to Know You! Please Share: Your Name
How many children you have (names and ages)
A goal related to our Solutions for Families group
Examples
Gail: Lulu (15 months): “I want to be the best parent I can be.”
Maria: Jose (4) and Luis (5): ”I want my boys to listen to me.”
Anything else about you and your family!

5. Ground Rules (Examples)
Start on time
Put cell phones on vibrate
Create a safe place to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences
Make sure everybody has a chance to share
Don’t judge each other

6. “Every child needs one person who is crazy about him
“Every child needs one person who is crazy about him.” Uri Bronfenbrenner

7. Building Positive Relationships with Children

8. Filling/Refilling Activity Workbook Activity #1
List 5 things that you will try to do in the next week to “fill/refill” your child’s relationship tank. Things that will make your child feel really special! Things that will help build a positive relationship with your child.

9. Tips for Encouraging Your Child Powerful Parenting Practice!
Tip 1 Get your child’s attention.
Tip 2 Use behavior specific language.
Tip 3 Keep it simple—avoid combining encouragement with criticism.
Tip 4 Encourage with enthusiasm.
Tip 5 Double the impact with physical warmth.
Tip 6 Use positive comments and encouragement with your child in front of others.

10. Encouragement Log Activity Workbook Activity #2
Try to encourage your child at least 5 times this week! See handout in workbook.

11. Ways to Give Children Encouragement (examples)
“Thank you for __________.”
“What a good problem solver you are, you were able to__________.”
“It’s so much fun to play with you; you are so good at ________.” (sharing, taking turns)
“You were being so kind when you ________.”
“Thank you for using your inside voice when your sister was sleeping.”

12. Follow Your Child’s Lead

13. The Power of Play Powerful Parenting Practice Tips
Tip 1: Follow your child’s lead
Wait, watch, and then join your child’s play
Tip 2: Talk, talk, talk about what your child is doing
Tip 3: Encourage your child’s creativity
Tip 4: Watch for your child’s cues
Tip 5: Avoid power struggles
Tip 6: Have fun together

14. Play as a Powerful Parenting Practice Things to Try at Home ─ Activity #3
Play goal for the week
What you did together
How your child reacted

15. Examples of Play Goals
I am going to try to turn off the television for minutes and play with Juan.
I am going to try to stop what I am doing and focus on Savannah while we are playing.
I am going to try to follow Jamar’s lead!
I am going to play with each boy one-on-one while my husband gives the other a bath.
I am going to try to stop being so bossy and let Crystal decide what she wants to play with.

16. The “Power” of Encouragement and Positive Comments
Child’s Name
Challenging Behavior
Desired Behavior
Positive Comment/ Encouragement
Ally
Not listening
Follow directions
Thank you for listening, Ally and for following directions (give a hug!)
Blaze
Yelling
Use inside voice
Wow! I really like the inside voice you are using. Thank you! (give a high five!)

17. Examples Workbook Activity #4
Challenging Behavior
(Would like to see less of…)
Positive Behavior
(Would like to see more of…)
Ignoring me
Listening to me
Hitting
Using words
Screaming
Using an inside voice
Making messes
Cleaning up
Refusing to get dressed
Getting dressed when asked
Using bad words
Using nice words

18. Positive Parenting Tips
Things to Try at Home
Positive Parenting Tips
Try to fill/refill your child’s relationship tank (Workbook Activity #1)
Try to use positive comments and encouragement with your child (Workbook Activity #2)
Play time with your child – remember to follow your child’s lead (Activity #3)
Encouraging Positive Behavior (Activity #4)
Have fun together!