Presented to groups of parents during the day or after school, the sessions generally consist of a mini-lecture presentation, discussion, and activities.

We have also found that parents can also perform in the role of the leader in taking responsibility for the delivery of the sessions.

In consultation with their parent community, schools can select one or more sessions to offer parents throughout the school year.

Sessions are designed to be presented to groups of parents of any size and take between 60 – 90 minutes to present.

The topics and content covered in Investing in Parents fall into three categories: positive parents, effective parents, and positive children. The content included in each parent session is based on an extensive study of what international research in the fields of parenting, child development and related fields has discovered about ways that parents socialise and influence their achievement and wellbeing.

Positive Parents

The first sessions have a focus on parents, their goals and aspirations, the importance of their self-efficacy, parenting styles and their effects on children as well as how to manage stress and be resilient.

• • Session 1 - Parenting today: what do you want for your children?
  • Session 2 - The parenting style that matters most: ‘Authoritative’
  • Session 3 - Avoid common mistakes that parents can make (ineffective parenting)
  • Session 4 - Parent stress management and resilience

Effective Parents

The following sessions deal with different parenting practices related to parent-child relationships and communication, different ways parents can become involved with their children’s education, how parents can understand and cater for their children’s developing interests and different ways they can motivate their children.

• • Session 5 - Develop positive relationships with your children
  • Session 6 - Be involved in your children's education
  • Part A: Show interest
  • Part B: Manage homework
  • Part C: Tutor your child
  • Part D: Steps to take if your child underachieves
  • Session 7 - Provide children responsibility and involve them in decision-making
  • Session 8 - Provide activities that accommodate children's interests
  • Session 9 - How to motivate your children

Positive Children

The final sessions deal with how parents can teach their children social-emotional learning skills and develop character through teaching values and strengths.

• • Session 10 - Children's social-emotional learning at home
  • Session 11 - Character education at home: values and strengths
  • Part A: Values of good character
  • Part B: Character strengths