Parenting Young Children program extends international reach
International interest in our Parenting Young Children program has continued to grow. More than 500 Swedish and 30 Norwegian professionals are now ready to deliver the program to parents.
The innovative program helps parents with intellectual disabilities learn basic childcare skills. In addition, it helps them develop confidence and learn how to interact with their child in a positive way.
It is provided to professionals in disability, health, child protection, welfare and family support who can work with parents in their homes.
Training professionals abroad
In 2018, Parenting Research Centre Principal Research Specialist Dr Catherine Wade (pictured, above) travelled to Japan to train government department workers, service providers and early childhood workers on the program’s principles. As a result, the program modules have been translated into Japanese.
Parenting Young Children has been available Australia-wide for some time.
“The growing international interest is a result of greater recognition that parents with learning difficulties may need extra support to provide the best possible care for their children,” Dr Wade said.
“Governments are now starting to invest in early intervention for these parents, to better equip them for parenting.”
“There’s a cost benefit, and there are better outcomes for children if they can remain with their family.”
Also, early intervention can help these parents learn practical parenting skills, and can avoid children needing out-of-home care.
Speaking internationally
Dr Wade has also been invited to present on supporting parents with learning difficulties at two international conferences in 2019.
In August, she will present at a workshop at the Future4All conference hosted by the World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Development Disabilities in Glasgow, Scotland.
In October she will present at The Association of Successful Parenting 2019 International Conference in Seattle, US.
Find out more
- Read more about the Parenting Young Children program
- Read about our work in Japan