HD 558

Advanced Parent-Child Relationships

Course Description:

This course will examine parent-child relationships across the lifespan paying particular attention to processes and contexts that influence parenting behaviors and child outcomes. Students will examine research and theories used to understand parenting practices in order to understand and identify assumptions upon which parenting education and family support programs are often built. Best practice models and evaluation of prevention/intervention programs relevant to parent-child relationships will be explored.

Objectives:

Students will gain knowledge about....

• Parental and cultural beliefs about parenting
• Parental knowledge about child development
• Social conditions that influence parenting beliefs and behaviors

Students will examine rigorous evaluation of best-practice program/models to gain an understanding and appreciation of best practices and various methods towards evaluating programs for families.

Students will examine parenting education programs and family support programs to....

• Identify theoretical underpinnings
• Identify and articulate assumptions about family, culture, context, and best practices in these materials
• Identify and understand best practices in programs designed to support parents and parent-child relationships

Students will be introduced to basic skills and resources for working effectively with a variety of parents in group settings (e.g., group dynamic, court mandated, grandparents, etc.)