Choosing Parenting Curricula Based on the Interests, Needs, and Preferences of the Parents Who Will Use It

Name of curriculum _____________________________________________________ Cost __________________

Source of curriculum ___________________________________________________________________________

Age of children of parents for whom curriculum is appropriate ___________________________________________

Frequency of meeting recommended ________________________ Availability of curriculum __________________

Goal or Objective of the curriculum ________________________________________________________________

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Check all of the following that the curriculum provides--

Information covered

___ Attachment, building and maintaining relationships ___ Beliefs systems ___ Developmental stages ___ Families of Origin ___ Feelings and how to deal with them ___ Parent's goals ___ Learning styles ___ Needs people have in order to survive and to live happily

___ Using needs to motivate children ___ The parental role ___ Relevance of past experience ___ Safety issues ___ Self esteem ___ Sibling and peer relationships ___ Temperament patterns ___ Values and ways of integrating them into family life. ___ Other

Skills taught

How to -- ___ Advocate for children ___ Anticipate ___ Balance demands of work and family ___ Brainstorm ___ Calm self--take a perspective ___ Communicate effectively ___ Design an appropriate environment ___ Discipline ___ Empathize ___ Enjoy ___ Implement life skills ___ Manage stress ___ Negotiate ___ Observe objectively ___ Plan effectively

Play with: ___ young children ___ adolescents ___ Problem solve ___ Reflect, assess about situations Relate to, respond to, interact: ___ young children ___ adolescents Resolve conflict with: ___ young children ___ adolescents Teach and guide: ___ young children ___ adolescents ___ Think through an issue ___ Use community resources ___ Other

Implications of Methods Recommended for Presenting Content

Content of the curriculum is determined by the: (select one)
___ curriculum;
___ curriculum and participants;
___ participants.

Source of content is based on: (select one)
___ "scientific" general knowledge;
___ "scientific" general knowledge and personal experiences;
___ personal experiences.

Presentation methods encourage participants to: (select one)
___ master the information;
___ relate the information to their life experiences;
___ focus entirely on their life experiences.

Presentation methods encourage participants to: (select one)
___ follow the guidance of the leader;
___ think through how they want to nurture their children, experiement;
___ continue nurturing their children as they have been.

Parental behavior is expected to improve as participants: (select all appropriate; star major emphasis)
___ master the content presented;
___ interrelate content and life experiences and put insights into practice;
___ reflect on life experiences as guided by the leader and put insights into practice;
___ seek to change environmental circumstances and role expectations.
___ feel better about themselves as parents.

Identify philosophical positions and child rearing advice

Record major philosophical positions of the curriculum
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List pages where child-rearing advice is given: Note advice given
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Background of Leadership Recommended

___ untrained, may come from group
___ trained in specific curriculum
___ expected to be highly trained in content and group skills