Parenting Young Children program makes international inroads
An innovative Parenting Research Centre program designed for parents with learning difficulties will soon be available to parents in Japan. A new collaboration between ourselves and Tokyo Kasei University will see Japanese practitioners trained in the Parenting Young Children program. And parents should benefit as soon as September.
Japan is the third country to take up the program, joining Sweden and Norway. The program uses home-based education and builds skills and confidence in parents with an intellectual disability.
Improving support
Parenting Research Centre Principal Research Specialist Dr Catherine Wade said this latest collaboration was the result of Japan’s efforts to improve the way it supports people with disability.
“We are delighted to be sharing our knowledge in this important area,” Dr Wade said. “And pleased to see the desire in Japan to use evidence-informed approaches to supporting parents.”
“Parenting Young Children covers basic child care skills, how to develop positive parent-child interactions, and how to develop confidence in their parenting ability. There has been considerable international interest in this approach as well as ongoing interest across Australia.”
Local training
Dr Emiko Tanaka from the Department of Humanity and Science at Tokyo Kasei University has translated the Parenting Young Children program and adjusted the content to the Japanese context.
In September Dr Wade will travel to Japan to train government department workers, service providers and early childhood workers on the program’s principles. She will outline how they can design content, develop teaching materials and help parents set goals.
Dr Wade will also deliver a keynote at a symposium to share expertise on parenting with intellectual disability.
Learn more
- Read more about the Parenting Young Children program
- See what customised training we offer