Product Summary ICS Skillful Parenting Program

Notes: 1) the term "parents" in this document refers to all types of caregivers . 2) Parts of this document are both in English and Khmer.

I.

WHY PARENTING?

Violence against women and children are major concerns in Cambodia. Women and children experience high levels of violence caused by a complex interplay between individual, relationship, community, and societal factors. International and national research has shown that parenting programs can play an important role in the prevention of violence against women and children. The family forms the basic protective unit for children. It is within the family that children are taught morals and responsibilities that will enable them go through life. Parents play a key role in the physical, social and mental development of their children and are the first point of influence for children. Furthermore a positive parent-child relationship and positive parenting styles can buffer the effects of family and community influences on children's development, including violent behavior later in life. ICS belies that all parents are capable of raising their children. However in Cambodia a great part of families are faced with challenges causing stress and negatively influencing their capacity to parent. By increasing parents' understanding of child development, good communication skills and nonviolent parenting practices, family relationships can be strengthened, which is more likely to lead to healthy, non-violence safe home environments.

II.

THE ICS SKILLFUL PARENTING PROGRAM - WHAT IS SKILLFUL PARENTING?

The Skillful Parenting program is based upon a positive approach to parenting. It is build upon the understanding that change will only take place if parents are convinced of the need for change and of their capacity to change. ICS applies the term "behavior change" not only towards behavior that needs to change but also to sustain behavior that contributes to promotion of positive parenting. The behavior change model regarding Skilful Parenting is adapted from the Theory of Planned Behavior 1 . The components of the behavior change model are addressed in the different program modules: providing knowledge, addressing the risks of not providing adequate care and protection to children and strengthen the belief of parents that they can take action to change (self-efficacy) (see figure 1). Parenting and Childhood are strongly influenced by culture, history and other contextual factors. This program does not aim to tell parents this is how you have to do it but rather wants to help parents in their task of raising children by choosing what works best for them and their family. Under guidance of a professional facilitator parents are provided with a safe platform for discussion and sharing (parent peer group of 15-20 parents). ICS chooses to work with parent peer groups to ensure social comparison, joint reflection and ongoing support. The key foundation of the program is the Skillful Parenting manual and the quality of the facilitator. Only facilitators certified by ICS are ready to deliver the program. The Skillful Parenting manual guides the facilitator in working with mothers, fathers or other caregivers of different backgrounds.
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Fishbein, M. (2000). The role of theory in HIV prevention.

Modules of Skillful Parenting Module 1 - Introduction: Being a parent _________3-4 hours

Parents get to know each other and create sense of trust. Understanding that there is no one way of parenting and that culture shapes perceptions and expectations of parenting and childhood. Introduction to the program to manage expectations and tailor next modules to the interest of this specific group. Create commitment to the program. Module 2 - Roles and responsibilities _________3-4 hours

Acknowledge that being a parent can be complicated because it involves many different roles and responsibilities. Understanding childrens behaviour and development and how to help a child in meeting their basic needs and developmental goals. Understanding different parenting styles, assessing one's own parenting style and understand by what this is influenced. Module 3 - Time for me! ______________ __3-4 hours

Creates recognition of the importance of finding time for yourself as a parent, building up resilience, and encourages a healthy self-esteem. Discuss with parents how they can build self-esteem in their children. Module 4 - Values & discipline __________________________ __3-4 hours

Creates understanding of the importance of values in the home, communicate values and understand principles of effective and positive discipline. Module 5 - Family communication ____________ _________3-4 hours

Creates understanding of the importance of a positive family environment and the role of other family members in parenting. Develops a healthy and effective communication in the home and support parents to introduce family meetings. Module 6 - Peaceful families __________________ _________3-4 hours

Understanding how issues of power, control and gender influence their family environment. Support parents to deal with stress, conflict and change within the family as a way to prevent violence within the family. Module 7 - Child Protection _________________ _________3-4 hours

Creates understanding how to protect children from risky situations, basic first aid and how to act in cases of violation of rights of children. Module 8 - Family Budgeting __________ ___________5 sessions of 2-4 hours

Creates understanding of the implications of budgeting for the family. Supports parents to better manage their income and expenditure, deal with debts and emergencies, and raise financially literature children. This module is developed in partnership with a+b=3.

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III.

HOW DO WE KNOW OUR PRODUCT WORKS?

ICS started to work with skillful parenting in Africa and build up extensive experience there. The skillful parenting program in Cambodia only started this year, so it is too early to draw evidencebased conclusions about the results of the program. However the pilot facilitator training was received with great enthusiasm by the different NGOs. Even more important, the first feedback from parents from the field is positive. Parents that were interviewed by ICS all indicated the program brought a change to them personally and for their family. See below quotes of 3 parents in OMC. I realized that children learn from what they see and hear, so I prevent them from seeing bad behaviors at home, for example, I stop drinking beers before my children; I tell my wife about what I have learnt from skillful parenting, and tell her not use bad languages over our children because they will learn from and imitate what we do every day if it is good or bad;... in every evening after work, I now spend time with my children and let them enjoy with playground I now start observing my daily childrens behaviors even though bad or good; I speak softly with them; I compliment them; I teach them how to read, write and draw I told some neighboring men in my village that please dont use bad languages or violence with our partners before children because our children can see and imitate what we have done, says one father Those men spoke impolitely words back to me, but I stayed calm...I really want other men to participate in the skillful parenting as I was because it can help them to change their behaviors. His wife stressed, After joining the skillful parenting training, I notice that my husband changed his behaviors a lot, for example, he reduced alcohol drinking, helped me do housework, spoke softly with me and my children, and he complimented what our children have done. I am so happy and proud of my husbands behavioral changes; I told his changes to other women in my village ICS will continue to invest in monitoring and evaluation of the program and is planning to do more indepth research on parenting in 2014 and 2015.

Parent peer group organized by Ponleur Kumar, OMC, Cambodia. 5