Description:

This course is a study of effective parenting. The course is designed for teachers of young children and parents and guardians who desire to provide an environment that reflects sensitivity to the unique needs of the individual child and family. Topics covered during the course are the history of child-rearing methods, an overview of child development, types of families, parent/guardian fears and concerns, purposes of child behavior, and effective communication techniques. Problem prevention and resolution, nurturing self-esteem in children and building effective, collaborative relationships between teachers and families are also covered. 2 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Summarize the history of child-rearing methods.
2. Distinguish the different types of family constellations.
3. Identify the significant developmental milestones of young children.
4. Define the term "parenting."
5. State the building blocks of parenting.
6. List and explain the major fears and concerns of parents.
7. Interpret the purposes of children's appropriate and inappropriate behavior.
8. Interpret the purposes of appropriate and inappropriate behavior of parents.
9. Relate the language of acceptance.
10. Use active listening skills.
11. Utilize language skills that enhance listening in children.
12. Identify and demonstrate effective parenting strategies that focus on feelings.
13. Identify and demonstrate effective parenting strategies that focus on behavior.
14. Explain and demonstrate the "no-lose" method for resolving conflict.
15. Design a plan to modify the child's learning environment that will strengthen appropriate behavior.
16. Design a plan to modify the child's learning environment that will develop and maintain new behavior.
17. Design a plan to modify the child's learning environment that will prevent unacceptable behavior.
18. Identify common problems in young children and match these problems with effective parenting behaviors.
19. Compile a list of special situations which affect young children and their families.
20. Outline and explain the causes, prevention and treatment for child maltreatment.
21. Use collaborative skills with others for the child's benefit.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Child Rearing and the Family
   A. Trace the history of child rearing methods.
      1. Summarize the views of childhood from medieval times to the
present. 
      2. Identify the philosophical roots of current parenting practice.
      3. Compare and contrast parenting in the present with parenting in
historical times.
   B. Describe the dynamics of families.
      1. Identify and describe the characteristics of family systems.
      2. List and explain the varieties of family structures and
lifestyles.

II. Growth and Development of Children from Birth to Age 8
   A. Outline the major developmental milestones of infants and toddlers
(birth to age 3) in the following areas:
      1. Physical and motor development.
      2. Speech and language development.
      3. Cognitive development.
      4. Social and emotional development.
   B. Outline the major developmental milestones of preschoolers (age 3 to
5 years) in the following areas:
      1. Physical and motor development.
      2. Speech and language development.
      3. Cognitive development.
      4. Social and emotional development.
   C. Outline the major developmental milestones of school age children
(age 5 to 8) in the following areas:
      1. Physical and motor development.
      2. Speech and language development.
      3. Cognitive development.
      4. Social and emotional development.

III. Parenting as a Process
   A. Identify the components of parenting.
      1. Define parenting.
      2. Identify the building blocks of parenting:
         a. Modeling, trust, respect, love, discipline
         b. Communication, honesty, time, attention, concern
      3. Relate the major fears and concerns of parents.
      4. Explain parental values and needs.
      5. Interpret the role of parenting in context.
      6. Illustrate the role of parents as teachers.
   B. Explain the purposes of child behavior and the effect of such
behavior on adults.
      1. Define and explain the following purposes of child behavior:
         a. Attention
         b. Power
         c. Revenge
         d. Display inadequacy
         e. Feel good
      2. Explain the following purposes of child behavior in terms of the
effect on adults:
         a. Attention
         b. Power
         c. Revenge
         d. Display inadequacy
         e. Feel good
      3. Define and explain the following purposes of parent behavior:
         a. Control
         b. Power
         c. Modify child behavior
         d. Nurture
         e. Feel good
      4. Explain the following purposes of parent behavior in terms of
effects on children:
         a. Control
         b. Power
         c. Modify child behavior
         d. Nurture
         e. Feel good

IV. Effective Communication with Young Children
   A. Identify and describe the language of acceptance.
      1. Define and illustrate the following:
         a. Nonverbal communication
         b. Verbal communication
         c. Nonintervention
         d. Passive listening
         e. Active listening (time, place, technique)
         f. Empathetic listening
         g. Communicating feelings
         h. Door opening statements
         i. Bad messages (put-down, shut-off, solution)
   B. Demonstrate understanding of communicating so children will listen.
      1. Define and demonstrate the following:
         a. I-messages
         b. Stating the positive without evaluation
         c. Cooperative building of positive relations
         d. Problem ownership
         e. Engaging cooperation
         f. Encouraging autonomy
         g. Dealing with feelings
         h. Developing alternatives

V. Parenting Strategies
   A. Identifying feelings
      1. Explain psychological safety with respect to children.
      2. List ways to overcome children's fears and anxieties.
      3. Identify and describe how to utilize the building blocks of
self-esteem:
         a. Respect and encouragement
         b. Caring and sharing
         c. Freedom of choice
         d. Emotional outlets, humor
         e. Natural and logical consequences
         f. Successes and failures
         g. Adult models
      4. Describe and evaluate Ginott's strategy:
         a. Parents as models
         b. Praise and encouragement
         c. Establishing and enforcing limits
      5. Describe and evaluate Gordon's strategy:
         a. No-lose method
         b. Active listening
         c. Appreciative I-messages
         d. Preventative I-messages
         e. Parents as models and consultants
   B. Identifying behaviors
      1. Demonstrate effective strategies to accomplish the following with
children:
         a. Strengthen existing behavior
         b. Development of new behavior
         c. Maintenance of new behavior
         d. Stop inappropriate behavior
      2. Demonstrate effective strategies to change adult behavior.
      3. Describe and evaluate Dreikur's strategy for managing child
behavior.
         a. Define the following terms of Dreikur's:
            1) Democratic- family techniques
            2) General rules
            3) Misbehavior
            4) Mistaken goals
      4. Describe and evaluate the process of behavior modification.
      5. Define the following behavior modification terms:
         a. Reinforcement and punishment
         b. Shaping
         c. Extinction
   C. Identification of common problems in young children and effective
parenting strategies to deal with such problems
      1. List the following common problems in young children.
      2. Identify an appropriate parenting strategy to deal with each
problem.
         a. Separation anxiety
         b. Feeding
         c. Dressing
         d. Crying
         e. Sleeping
         f. Toilet teaching
         g. Temper tantrums
         h. Sibling rivalry
         i. Playing
         j. Aggression
         k. Dependency
         l. Overactivity
         m. Fears
         n. Excessive masturbation
         o. Wetting and soiling
         p. Lying and stealing
         q. Homework
         r. Chores
   D. Identification of special situations in dealing with children
      1. Identify the special circumstances in dealing with children and
parents in the following situations:
         a. Illness and/or death of a family member
         b. Separation/divorce
         c. Reconstituted families
         d. Adoption
         e. Foster care
         f. Child neglect
         g. Child abuse
      2. Identify resources available to parents, children and families at
risk.

VI. Collaborating with Others
   A. Differentiate the role of parent/guardian and early childhood
teacher.
      1. Define the role of the parent in early childhood education.
      2. Define the role of the teacher in early childhood education.
      3. List the responsibilities of the parent of the child in early
childhood education.
      4.   List the responsibilities of the teacher of the child in early
childhood  education. 
      5. Identify the boundaries between the parent and teacher in early
childhood education.
      6. Identify cultural factors that affect the parent/child in early
childhood education.
      7. Define the social context of the child.
      8. Demonstrate an awareness of how cultural factors affect the
social context of the parents and their child.
      9. List the benefits for the child of continuity and discontinuity
between parent/guardian and teacher with respect to the approach to
learning and to the child on the part of both.
     10. Compare and contrast the role of teachers and parents as both
teachers and learners.
   B. Distinguish sources of support and guidance in the community.
      1. Describe the function of parent support groups.
      2. Illustrate the supportive function of the various adults that
deal with children in the community:
         a. Extended relatives
         b. Coaches, club leaders
         c. Teachers, principals, counselors
      3. List the civil rights of children.
      4. List the civil rights of parents.
      5. Identify various sources of information for parents and
families.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Two Exams                              20% of grade
Self-Awareness Activity                 5% of grade
Four Practice Assignments              20% of grade
   1. Empathetic Responding
   2. Recognizing Feelings
   3. Door Opening Statements
   4. Interpreting Messages

Development of Audiotape Using Effective Communication: 
                                          10% of grade
Analyze a Parent/Guardian-Child Event:    10% of grade
Develop a Behavior Modification Plan:     20% of grade
Other:                                     5% of grade
Total:                                   100%

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.