Supporting parents and healthy behaviours through parent-child meetings – a qualitative study in the Netherlands

Background The first 2 years of a child’s life have been found to be crucial to healthy growth and development. Parent support groups can help parents to promote health-related behaviours during this crucial period. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of parents who participated in a parent support group (Parent-Child Meetings) which promoted health-related behaviours of their children, and to determine whether and how these meetings supported them in promoting these behaviours. Methods We used a qualitative study design. The parent support group consisted of weekly Parent-Child Meetings organized in a multi-ethnic, relatively low-income neighbourhood in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Data on the experiences of parents was collected through participatory observations, informal conversations (n = 30 sessions) and semi-structured interviews (n = 13) between April 2019 and March 2020. The data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Results Parents indicated that they experienced the parent-child meetings as enjoyable and as providing them with socio-emotional support. They reported that the meetings increased their parenting knowledge, skills and practices regarding healthy behaviours of their children and that they used this knowledge in their daily lives. They also appreciated the practical information and advice provided by experts in the meetings. Parents indicated that the positive attitude of the experts was crucial in accepting and adopting their advice. Additionally, parents valued the interactive and hands-on workshops, which integrated health-related behaviours and active play with children, as it enabled them to learn while they played with their children. Conclusion This study indicated that parent-child meetings contributed to enhancing parental knowledge, skills and practices regarding healthy behaviours of their children. This could potentially benefit the health of children during the first 2 years of their lives. In particular, the peer support of other parents, the hands-on workshops, and the concrete advice and information provided in an informal setting were highly valued by parents. Future parent support groups could use these findings to improve their meetings or to start meetings that better suit the needs of parents with young children.

Parental Adherence to Home Activities in Early Intervention for Young Children With Delayed Motor Development

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between characteristics of home activities and coaching practices with the adherence of parents of children with motor delays to home activities provided by physical therapists and occupational therapists in early intervention. Methods An online survey study was developed and distributed to physical therapists and occupational therapists across the United States. A survey flier was posted online on parent support groups, physical and occupational therapy groups, newsletters and organizations supporting parents of children with disabilities. Results A total of 720 respondents participated in the survey. Four hundred forty-six participants from 49 states met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Parents indicated that physical therapists and OTs apply the five coaching practices (joint planning, observation, practice, reflection, feedback). However, parents (63%) reported more time was needed on coaching. Parents’ stated that therapists’ modeling the activities was the most helpful teaching technique that enhanced their adherence to home activities. Coaching practices, appropriateness of the home activities to daily routines and home environment, provision of home activities enjoyed by the child, and parent self-efficacy were all significantly associated (P < 0.5) with adherence to home activities. Conclusions Parent’s adherence to home activities is affected not only by the type of coaching used by the therapists but also by the characteristics of the home activities provided for young children with delayed motor development. Impact statement The results of this study provide additional evidence supporting individualization of home activities to promote the parent’s continuous provision of learning opportunities to promote their children’s development. There was also support of the therapists’ use of the five coaching practices in EI to support the parent’s application of home activities when the therapists are not present.

770 Increasing Attendance in Parent Support Groups Through Creative Engagement

Introduction Engaging parents of pediatric burn survivors in support programs enhances children’s coping and self-esteem. A parent support group for pediatric burn survivors was created to address these issues, but participation was consistently low, with an average attendance of two. To increase attendance, the format of the program was modified to target the survivor as well as parental needs. Methods The program was created for burn survivors age 3 to 17 years and their parents. The pediatric module incorporated developmentally appropriate activities to engage pediatric burn survivors and siblings in therapeutic techniques to normalize their experience and provide expressive opportunities. Parents attended a parent support group, where facilitators encouraged expression of feelings connected to their child’s burn injury and developing strategies for supporting their child through daily life. The parent portion also fostered an opportunity for them to develop their own coping skills. A trained peer support volunteer attended the program to foster peer support. A survey gauging parental perception of their child’s coping and their own coping was developed and distributed to all parents at the end of the session. Results There were 29 attendees (11 adults and 18 children). Ten surveys were completed, but one was eliminated due to user error. The results were overwhelmingly positive and validated a need for parent support (see table). Most parent participants (78%) had never attended a burn survivor support program though all had previously attended survivor-related social events. All respondents indicated they wound attend this event again. Conclusions Engaging survivors and their families in recreational-based events appears to lead to higher attendance, as all participants had previously attended social events provided by the burn program. Parents may be more inclined to attend an event that focuses on their child’s needs rather than, or in addition to, their own. Additional programs are planned with a goal of quarterly meetings. Attendance and feedback will need to be tracked to corroborate the findings of this initial experience and foster the growth of a robust parental support program. Applicability of Research to Practice Providers of parent support groups need to be creative in developing formats that increase participation. Recreational activities alone do not foster coping skills and emotional support. Activities need to be created that support the psychosocial needs of pediatric burn survivors and their parents.

KONSTRUKSI POLA PEMBELAJARAN BAGI GURU PADA ANAK-ANAK DIFABEL DAN DISABILITAS BERBASIS PENDIDIKAN PARENTIING

<p><strong>Abstract: <em>CONSTRUCTION OF LEARNING PATTERNS FOR TEACHERS IN DIFABLES AND PARENTIING EDUCATION-BASED CHILDREN. </em></strong><em>Children basically have the same rights. The right to grow, develop, get proper education, and other rights No exception with imperfect children. Both seen from the physical and mental. In this study discussed about learning patterns for teachers for children with disabilities and disabilities. The method in this study is to use analysis descriptions. This type of research is library research with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques in this study are library research and documentation. Data analysis techniques in this study used descriptive analysis of the construction of parenting education in children with disabilities and disabilities. So that they get a description of how the construction of parenting education for children with disabilities and sisability. From the results of this study it can be seen that the construction or pattern of parenting education for educators for children with disabilities and disabilities is four. First, large group meetings, parent conferences, parent support groups, and home visits.<strong></strong></em></p><p> </p><p><strong>ABSTRAK: </strong><em>Anak pada hakikatnya mempunyai hak yang sama. Hak untuk tumbuh, berkembang, mendapat pendidikan yang layak, dan hak-hak lainnya tidak terkecuali dengan anak-anak tidak sempurna. Baik yang dilihat dari fisik maupun mental. Dalam penelitian ini membahas mengenai konstruksi pola pembelajaran bagi guru untuk anak-anak difabel dan disabilitas. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah menggunakan deskripsi analisis. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian kepustakaan (Library research) dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data pada penelitian ini adalah studi pustaka (library research) dan dokumentasi. Teknik analisis data pada penelitian ini menggunakan analisis deskriptif tentang konstruksi pendidikan parenting pada anak difabel dan disabilita. Sehingga mendapatkan suatu pendeskripsian mengenai bagaimana konstruksi pendidikan parenting untuk anak difabel dan sisabilitas. Dari hasil kajian ini dapat diketahui kontruksi atau pola pendidikan parenting bagi pendidik untuk anak yang difabel dan disabilitas yaitu ada empat. Pertama, large groups meetings, parent conferences, parent supprots groups, dan home visit.</em><strong></strong></p>