Tuning in to Kids
_______________________________________________________
Author(s): Dr Sophie Havighurst and Ms Ann Harley
Date of publication: 2007
Website: www.tuningintokids.org.au
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Aim(s):
Tuning in to Kids parenting program aims to promote the development of emotional competence and prevent behaviour problems in young children by improving parents’ own emotional competence as well as teaching them the emotion coaching skills that help children learn to understand and regulate their emotions.
Target group:
The ideas and techniques taught in the program may be useful for parents with children of a range of ages, from preschool to Year 6.
Program content and components:
Tuning in to Kids is a program that encourages changes in parenting beliefs and behaviours within the context of increasing the emotional connection between parent and child – consistent with the function of a secure attachment relationship. Parents are taught the five steps of emotion coaching in a series of exercises, role plays, DVD materials and psycho-education. Group facilitators also demonstrate emotion coaching followed by parents role playing these skills. Emphasis is placed on parents becoming aware of their own and children’s emotions. In sessions 1-3, parents are taught to reflect, label and empathize with the child’s emotion. Session 4 attends to anxiety and problem solving; sessions 5-6 focus on more intense emotions, particularly anger, and include emotion regulation strategies, using the turtle technique from PATHS and safe expression of anger. Parents are also taught to understand and regulate their own emotions.
The manual provides theoretical background, tips for running a successful program, session plans, parent handouts and worksheets, home activities, fidelity checklists, and a DVD with examples of parents emotion coaching children in preschool and pre-adolescent age groups.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
Identified theoretical framework:
The Tuning in to Kids program is based on theory about the role of parent emotion socialization practices in shaping children’s emotional competence. The program also draws on aspects of social learning theory, attachment theory, and mindfulness.
Evidence of effectiveness:
(according to criteria developed by CASEL for rating program effectiveness)
A single study documents positive behavioural outcomes at post test.
Further evaluations for parents of primary aged children are underway.
References supplied by program authors:
Havighurst, S.S., Harley, A., & Prior, M. (2004). Building preschool children’s emotional competence: A parenting program. Early Education and Development, 15(4), 423-448.
Havighurst, S.S., Wilson, K.R., Harley, A.E., & Prior, M.R. (2009). Tuning in to Kids: an emotion-focused parenting program-initial findings from a community trial. Journal of Community Psychology, 37(8), 1008-1023.
Havighurst, S.S., Wilson, K.R., Harley, A.E., Prior, M.R. & Kehoe, C. (under review). Tuning in to Kids: Improving emotion socialization practices in parents of preschool children – Findings from a community trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychaitry.
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Program structure:
Tuning in to Kids is designed as six 2-hour sessions plus two booster sessions held at 2-monthly intervals. However, this can be modified to suit participants, It is intended to be a group program, with 8-12 participants and ideally two co-facilitators, but it is also possible to adapt the delivery of this program.
Staff professional learning (PL):
A two-day training workshop for professionals who wish to offer a Tuning in to Kids program is available at The University of Melbourne. For further information see www.tuningintokids.org.au. Workplace training can be negotiated.
Those completing the training are certified as Tuning in to Kids program facilitators. The training workshop is $495, or $400 without the manual.
Program costs:
Program costs include photocopying or printing of parent handouts, venue hire and refreshments.
Manuals can also be purchased separately for $158, including GST and postage. Purchase of a manual does not provide certification as a Tuning in to Kids facilitator.
About the author(s):
Dr Sophie Havighurst (B.A. Hons, Dip. Clin. Psych., PhD) is a child clinical psychologist and Senior Lecturer at Mindful, the University of Melbourne. She teaches child and adolescent mental health practitioners across Victoria, and also works as a clinical psychologist in private practice and at the Children’s Court Clinic. She is the Principal Investigator on the Tuning in to Kids research program.
Ms Ann Harley (Dip Teach, B.A. Grad Dip Ed) is based at MacKillop Family Services in the Western Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, where she provides parent education and support to parents, and specialist consultation to professionals working with families in the region. She has over 20 years experience in parent education, in particular in lower socioeconomic areas and with culturally and linguistically diverse communities. She is also the Tuning in to Kids training manager at Mindful, and is currently completing research on Tuning in to Teens for her Master of Education degree.
Contact information:
Program materials:
Ms Toni Langley
Mindful – Centre for Training and Research in Developmental Health, The University of Melbourne, 50 Flemington Street, Flemington VIC 3031
Phone: (03) 9371 0220
Fax: (03) 9371 0250
Email: tlangley@unimelb.edu.au
Website: www.mindful.org.au
Training and professional development:
Ms Ann Harley
Address as above
Phone: (03) 9371 0210
Fax: (03) 9371 0250
Email: aeharley@unimelb.edu.au
Website: www.tuningintokids.org.au
A Tuning in to Kids training workshop is conducted four times per year in Victoria (at Mindful). Training has also been provided in New South Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia. Training workshops in other Australian states or country regions is available.
Return to the Component 3 Categorisation Table
It is important to note that inclusion of a program in this Guide does not constitute an endorsement by KidsMatter Primary. All program details were correct at time of publishing.
