Name of the intervention
APPRECIATIVE PARENTING PROGRAMME
Intervention type
Structured, curriculum and group-based parenting program
Training Parent Educators
Yes, (educational, social si medical sector)
Further info
https://www.qie.ro/platforma/images/pnrr2022/20220226%20-%201%20-%20PrezentareOfertaEducatieParentalaHoltis.pdf provides evidence-based parenting programs tailored to different age groups
Geographical coverage
Nationwide / available also in Republic of Moldova
Main target audience(s)
Mothers and fathers, foster parents, adoptive parents, grandparents, and other caregivers
Age group(s) of children being addressed
0 to 18 years
Main desired parent-focused outcomes
o Increased knowledge of child development o Increased responsive, stimulating parenting behaviour (e.g. to promote child development) o Reduced child maltreatment, abuse, and neglect o Reduced harsh discipline o Increased knowledge of positive parenting skills & behaviour (includes positive behaviour management techniques such as routines & praise, parental monitoring & supervision, communication) o Revealing a wide range of positive and effective parenting alternatives o Learn to deal with stress and to improve their communication skills o Encouraging parents to thoroughly analyse their lives and the manner in which they relate to their children o Laying the grounds of a social support network with other parents o Increasing the reflective capacity of parents o Promotes learning through play approach in interactions between parents/ adults and children o Increased parental self-efficacy (e.g., confidence in their skills as a parent)
Main desired child/adolescent outcomes
o Improve positive development & well-being o Prevent and reduce risky behaviors (e.g., oppositional, aggressive delinquency, drug use) o Improve social skills and quality of relationships (e.g. improved peer interactions) o Increase protection from violence (in the home, at school, in the community) o Prevent school dropout and absenteeism and increase school participation o Support the transition from one educational cycle to another, especially from lower to upper secondary education o Develop non-cognitive skills o Increase the ability to overcome traumatic situations o Increase the ability to prevent bullying and cyberbullying
Main topics covered in the intervention
1. How to be a wise parent 2. How to be relaxed in stressful situations 3. How to communicate effectively with your child! 4. How to be your child’s reliable partner! 5. Positive approach to your child’s behaviour 6. How to prevent abuse and its effects on the child 7. How to accompany the child on the path of his/her development 8. Health education 9. Adolescents’ entourage and free time 10. Self-control and avoidance of harmful substances 11. How to play with our child 12. Noncognitive skills 13. Bullying and cyberbullying 14. The importance of supporting children in their transition from middle school to high school 15. Immunity and vaccination. Useful information for parents 16. How to stimulate learning through play 17. How to support your child to overcome traumatic situations 18. Ways to maintain the support network
How the intervention was developed
The initially the intervention started from a parenting programme from United States of America that was adapted and adjusted to the Romanian context targeting parents of children from birth to three. Starting from there the curriculum was expanded to cover all ages of children from birth to 18 and was periodically updated and enriched based on the evolving needs of parents, care givers and children.
What is the evidence base that informs the programme?
various studies and research on the need for parenting programmes in Romania, evidence generated in the implementation of the programme from its inception until now
Delivery platforms
mainly education, and occasionally early childhood development and child protection platforms (www.qie.ro and www.educatieparentala.ro )
Delivered in which settings
Education sector, Child protection sector
Frequency of parenting sessions
Weekly
Duration of the parenting intervention
10 sessions with the same group of parents
Workforce used to deliver
Professionals from education, child protection and health sectors
Category of implementer
Education and child protection governmental sectors, NGO
Resourcing of intervention
UNICEF, EEA and Norway and EU funds, partly local public funds, private funds.
Projects
School Attendance Initiative (2010-2014) –UNICEF; Quality Inclusive Education (2014-2018) - UNICEF, Transition from Lower to upper Secondary education (2018-2022) - UNICEF Strengthening ECEC (2022-2024) – UNICEF EEA and Norway Funds and EU funds through Operational Programme for Human Capital PNRAS: National Program for Reducing School Dropout (2023-2025) – PNNR EU
Has the intervention been evaluated?
Yes, formal evaluation available for School Attendance Initiative, Quality Inclusive Education, Transition from Lower to upper Secondary education and other research on parenting programme
If yes, what are the key strengths documented?
Different aspects evaluated and analyzed: ways to increase efficiency of recruitment of parental educators, profiles of parental educators, effects of parenting programmes on improving parents skills and behavior, effects on improving school culture, impact on reducing school absenteeism and dropout etc.)