The Partnership for Children of Johnston County will soon begin its next round of parent education trainings.
The “Incredible Years Parent Program” fosters healthy development in young children by strengthening parenting competencies and promoting effective strategies for managing children’s challenging behaviors. Parents and caregivers attend weekly group sessions for 14-16 weeks to practice skills that promote children’s academic, social, and emotional skills, according to Christina Peterson, a spokeswoman for the organization.
One program, “Motheread” is a 12-week program that combines the teaching of literacy skills with child development and family empowerment issues. According to Peterson, parents and children learn to use the power of language to discover more about themselves, their families, and their communities. These classes are appropriate for all adults, regardless of reading ability or prior educational experience. By teaching the “why” of reading rather than just emphasizing the “how,” classes encourage parents to be reading role models for their children, Peterson said.
