This 10-week Parenting Skills Course is designed to empower parents with practical strategies based on educational psychology, behavioral science, and child development principles. This course focuses on positive discipline, communication, emotional regulation, and fostering independence while addressing behavioral challenges in children.
Course Length: 10 Weeks
Target Audience: Parents of children ages 2-12 (can be adapted for teens)
Course Format: Weekly discussions, role-playing, case studies, and at-home practice
Course Overview:
This course equips parents with evidence-based techniques to understand, guide, and support their children’s emotional and behavioral development. Using principles from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Positive Parenting, and Child Psychology, parents will learn how to foster a calm, structured, and nurturing home environment while strengthening their bond with their child.
Course Outline:
Week 1: Understanding Your Child’s Behavior
- The basics of child development and behavior patterns
- Identifying triggers and functions of behavior
- How the environment influences your child’s actions
📌 Activity: Behavior ABCs (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) journal exercise
Week 2: Building Positive Parent-Child Relationships
- The power of connection before correction
- Quality vs. quantity time: Making the most of interactions
- The 5:1 positive reinforcement rule
📌 Activity: Daily “Special Time” challenge – 10 minutes of undivided attention
Week 3: Effective Communication with Your Child
- How to use clear, developmentally appropriate language
- The role of active listening and empathy
- Teaching kids self-expression and problem-solving skills
📌 Activity: Practicing reflective listening with real-life parent-child scenarios
Week 4: Setting Expectations & Boundaries
- The importance of clear, consistent rules
- Balancing firmness and warmth
- Using visual schedules and social stories for younger children
📌 Activity: Creating a family rules chart with visuals
Week 5: Positive Discipline Strategies (Without Yelling or Punishment!)
- Teaching natural and logical consequences
- Strategies to redirect misbehavior effectively
- When and how to use planned ignoring and time-ins
📌 Activity: Role-playing positive discipline techniques
Week 6: Managing Big Emotions & Meltdowns
- Teaching emotional regulation skills
- Using co-regulation to help your child calm down
- Sensory needs and self-soothing strategies
📌 Activity: Creating a “Calm Down Corner” at home
Week 7: Encouraging Independence & Responsibility
- Age-appropriate expectations for self-help skills
- How to use task breakdown and reinforcement
- Teaching kids to take ownership of chores, homework, and hygiene
📌 Activity: Making a personalized responsibility chart
Week 8: Managing Screen Time & Technology Use
- Setting healthy digital boundaries
- Preventing tech tantrums
- Using technology as a tool, not a crutch
📌 Activity: Designing a family tech-use agreement
Week 9: Handling Power Struggles & Defiance
- Understanding why kids resist
- The “Pick Your Battles” strategy
- Using choices and compromises to reduce conflict
📌 Activity: Practicing negotiation and redirection techniques
Week 10: Bringing It All Together – Personalized Parenting Plan
- Reviewing key takeaways from the course
- Identifying personal parenting strengths and areas for growth
- Creating a customized parenting action plan
📌 Final Assignment: Parents design a Family Behavior Guide with strategies tailored to their child
Course Benefits:
✅ Evidence-Based Strategies from ABA, Positive Parenting, and Child Development
✅ Hands-On Practice with role-playing, discussions, and real-life scenarios
✅ Personalized Action Plans to create long-term behavior changes
✅ Supportive Community of parents sharing experiences and solutions