Nurturing Parenting Programs® (NPP) are curriculum-based, educational programs that generally work with the entire family.
What are Nurturing Parenting Programs?
Nurturing parenting programs are educational initiatives designed to support and empower parents and caregivers in developing positive parenting skills. They particularly target families facing challenges such as stress, substance abuse, mental health issues, or other risk factors that can impact parenting. The program uses a flexible approach, adapting to the unique needs of each family.
Key Aspects
Education on Child Development: These programs provide parents with foundational knowledge about child development stages and needs, helping them understand how children think, feel, and behave at different ages.
Positive Parenting Skills: Parents learn various parenting techniques aimed at encouraging positive behavior in children, such as effective discipline strategies, communication skills, and nurturing practices.
Emotional Support: Many programs emphasize the importance of emotional connections between parents and children. They teach parents to recognize and respond to their children's emotional needs, fostering a secure attachment.
Stress Management Techniques: Parents are equipped with tools to manage stress and improve their mental well-being, which positively affects their parenting abilities.
Family Bonding Activities: Programs often include activities designed to strengthen family relationships, encouraging quality time and positive interactions among family members.
Support Groups: Participants can share experiences and challenges in a supportive environment, reducing feelings of isolation and promoting a sense of community among parents.
Resource Availability: Parents are often connected with additional resources such as counseling services, community programs, and educational materials that can assist in their parenting journey.
Culturally Relevant Practices: Many nurturing parenting programs are tailored to reflect the cultural backgrounds of the families they serve, ensuring that the content is relatable and applicable.
Goals
Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect: By providing parents with the skills and knowledge they need, these programs aim to lower the incidence of child maltreatment.
Promote Healthy Relationships: Encouraging positive parent-child interactions and improving overall family dynamics is a central focus.
Enhance Parenting Confidence: Programs strive to empower parents, increasing their confidence in their parenting abilities and decision-making.
OUTCOMES
Increased parenting Knowledge and skills
Improved emotional regulation and well being
Enhanced attachment and emotional bonds
Reduced Recidivism
Improved Family Functioning
Increased family resilience
Break Cycle of Abuse
Nurturing parenting programs are a vital resource for families, particularly those facing challenges. By offering education, support, and practical skills, these programs contribute to the overall well-being of children and families, fostering healthier parenting practices and improving child development outcomes.
What TYPES OF Nurturing Parenting Programs ARE OFFERED?
PRENATAL NURTURING PARENTING PROGRAM (9 WEEKS)
Parents learn ways to bond with their baby by examining the adjustments to being pregnant, discussing the physical and emotional changes occurring, strengthening the bonds between the partners, learning ways to nurture oneself, and preparing for parenthood. Parents also examine their parenting attitudes, learn non-hitting ways of discipline, practice infant massage, and develop their empathetic awareness of their needs and their infants' needs.
NURTURING SKILLS FOR FAMILIES (ages 0-11) (14 weeks)
Designed to address key areas that contribute to a safe and healthy family environment. The program aims to promote positive family practices, enhance parental knowledge and skills, improve communication and problem solving abilities, build emotional resilience, strengthen family bonds, address risk factors, foster community support and encourage accountability. The NSFF program maintains the fidelity of the evidence based Nurturing Parenting model, yet offers flexibility in meeting the needs of families with children from birth to 11 years old.
NURTURING PROGRAM for Families in Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery (14 weeks)
Designed for parents who want to become better parents as they turn their lives around and become clean and sober. Many parents in this program have lost custody of their children and are working hard to regain custody. Through the program, they are able to learn about child development as well as making healthy choices for themselves and their children. They see how their choices have affected their children and they learn how to become better role models for their children, who can then grow up in safe, nurturing, supportive and loving environments.
Nurturing Father’s Program (13 weeks)
Designed to focus on developing attitudes and skills for male nurturance. Each week, a new topic is addressed, including: their own relationships with their fathers, nurturing themselves/their children, fathering sons/daughters, discipline without violence, playing with their children, managing anger/resolving conflict, teamwork with spouse, balancing work and parenting, communication and problem solving, cultural influence, dealing with feelings, and working on “The Father I Choose To Be.”