Research has shown that some parent education programs are beneficial and effective. In one study, investigators developed and tested a six-week program called, “Parenting the Strong-Willed Child (PSWC).” Seventy-one families with children ages 2 through 8 years who were enrolled in Head Start Centers participated in the free program. All children had high levels of acting out behaviors, including not following parents’ directions when they were disciplined.
At the end of the six-week PSWC program, parents reported several improvements.
At the end of the six-week PSWC program, parents reported several improvements.
- Their children reduced both the frequency and intensity of their behavioral problems.
- Parents saw a significant decrease in parenting stress
- Parents used fewer overly permissive parenting behaviors.
- Parents were less emotional reactive while disciplining their children.
- Improvements were maintained 6 months after the program ended.
Children who act out tend to make worse grades. These children also may cause disruptions that affect the quality of education for other students. This study demonstrates that targeted parent education programs can be helpful in decreasing child behavior problems, which can have positive effects not only on the children themselves, but also on their families and classmates.