Topics

i) exploring our parenting role,

ii) self esteem,

iii) communicating to be understood,

iv) active listening,

v) positive discipline,

vi) I feel angry with my child! Why?

vii) conflict resolution,

viii) the family,

ix) values, traditions and culture, and

x) well-being.

Structure of modules: Uniform in structure, the first four parts of each module are as follows:

i) greeting and welcoming activity,

ii) using a personal journal to express one's ideas,

iii) key words and expressions associated with the theme so that the participating parents can use them in the discussion in small groups or all together, and

iv) relaxation and visualisation to relax the body and the mind and stimulate the imagination.

From there, the modules vary according to the concepts they are presenting.

Reading and writing activities: These kinds of activity within each module help develop parenting skills as much as reading and writing skills. They aim to help participating parents feel comfortable with reading and writing and with integrating them into their daily lives.

Other characteristics: Additional information is provided in the guide's appendices, in particular advice on strategies and tools for leading the group, materials that can be used as fables and stories that the facilitator can use to present each theme, an enrolment form, an attendance form, evaluation forms for the practitioner and the participant, references for the workshop titles of books for children related to the theme in each module and a certificate of participation.

Comments: Although the model Grandir avec mon enfant does not include a "child" component, one of the two organizations that used this model has integrated a child component by offering a child care service in partnership with a local daycare centre.

The fifth and sixth modules include two activities that reinforce the parental role and skills for daily living with one's child. One of these activities aims to improve the parent's relationship with his child, and the other is a parent-child activity presented in the form of a game to help the parent foster and support their child's acquisition of reading and writing skills.

The facilitation of modules in this model requires considerable knowledge and leadership skills, particularly where the participating parents come from diverse backgrounds and have various skills and competencies. Module 9, which deals with values, traditions and cultures, may present a considerable challenge, especially in contexts where there is a wide range of diverse cultures.