Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-18T20:43:53.063Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Family Life Education Programme

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

David Mellor  and
Shane Storer
David Mellor
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Deakin University, Warrnambool, Victoria
Shane Storer
Affiliation:
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Team, Warrnambool Base Hospital, Victoria
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper describes the development of the Family Life Education Programme, an innovative group approach to parenting issues. The programme aims to (i) utilise the strengths of a multidisciplinary allied health team and (ii) to avoid focusing on the limited issues of child management and discipline. Previous styles of parent education groups are discussed, together with their shortcomings and the authors’ frustrations with such approaches. The rationale for the format of the new programme is described, and the detailed structure outlined. Two innovations are highlighted. Firstly, the programme focuses on issues from both the child and parent perspective (eg, child's play/parents’ recreation). Secondly, the six-week programme uses professionals from various disciplines as weekly consultants, while one member of the team provides week-to-week continuity as an anchor. The programme is evaluated in terms of the impact on the multi-disciplinary team, and the feedback from participants. It is argued that the Family Life Education Programme offers a balanced approach to the many issues confronting parents of young children and it could be implemented not only within multi-disciplinary teams, but also co-operatively across agencies.

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , 1993 , pp. 17 - 21
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allan, J. & Schultz, C. (1988). ‘Parent education: developments and discrepancies’, Australian Child and Family Welfare. 12(4) 14–16.Google Scholar
Davies, E. (1978). ‘An evaluation of packaged parent education programmes’, Australian Journal of Social Issues. 13(3), 187–196.Google Scholar
Dinkmeyer, D. & McKay, G. (1976). Systematic Training for Effective Parenting, Circle Pines, Minn.: American Guidance Service.Google Scholar
Doherty, W.J. & Ryder, R.G. (1980). ‘Parent effectiveness training (PET): criticism and caveats’, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. 6(4) 409–419.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eastman, M. (1983). Education for family Life - A Survey of Available Programs and Their Evaluation, Occ. Paper No. 4, Melbourne: Institute of Family Studies.Google Scholar
Gordon, T. (1970). P.E.T. - Parent Effectiveness Training, N.Y.: Plume Books.Google Scholar
Parent Help Program (1991) News and Information Bulletin No. 3.Google Scholar