Parent Education
Virtual Parent Education Groups
During COVID-19 Pandemic
During this time of social distancing, Norwood is offering parenting groups on a virtual platform. We are using ZOOM to reach parents with our parenting programs including Triple P Group, Learning and Literacy, Handle with Care, Empowered Parenting and Brain Builders. While the Triple P program has long been a staple for recommended parenting programs, its prescribed format and set skills leave little room for parents or caregivers to explore what works for them. In the Triple P program, if a skill does not work then it cannot be used and can cause more frustration with parents. While the Triple P program does offer a basic set of discipline skills it lacks in developing relationship and building attachment. There are other programs that give knowledge to parents and a solid foundation into all aspect of parenting. Each group has a slightly different focus while still maintaining the goal of supporting positive parenting practices.
Handle with Care
Handle with Care focuses on developing children’s mental health. It looks at four building blocks, including attachment, relationships with others, expressing emotions, and promoting self-esteem. Handle with Care uses a parent’s own self-reflection to help them understand and develop effective skills. It is useful in understanding why children do the things they do and how we can promote healthy development in children, parents, and create a healthy parent-child relationships. The target for this program is families with children aged birth to six years. This program can take place between four and eight weeks depending on the needs of the participants and the intensity needed.
Learning and Literacy
Learning and Literacy is also known as the LAPS (Literacy and Parenting Skills) program. This group is designed for parents by the facilitator. Facilitators work with the parents to determine what needs to be discussed in the sessions. Parents are in control of the topic while the facilitators compile the information that promotes the best parenting practices. Topics can include positive discipline, child behavior, attachment, self-care, traditional parenting, and many others. Learning and Literacy also works to develop literacy skills in both parents and the children. This group is offered in either six or eight week sessions depending on the needs of the participants. The target of this program is families with children aged birth to six years.
Empowered Parenting
Empowered Parenting is a group that focuses on the health, safety, behavior, and development of children. Facilitators use interactive activities, videos, and conversation related to the topics that develop positive relationships and promote positive parenting skills. The goal of this group is to engage parents in reflective practice and to promote the health and safety of children while giving parents tools for effective parenting. This group is six sessions with a possibility of extension based on participant interest. The target for this program is families with children aged birth to six years.
Brain Builders
Brain Builders is a 20 session group that looks at brain development in children as well as the other six developmental domains; social, physical, language, intellectual, creative, and emotional development. Along with the meeting once a week, parents are also engaged in a “home visit” where facilitators engage with parents over video chat and bridge what they learned in the session to what they are doing at home. The facilitator will walk the parents through the information and how it relates to their everyday lives as parents promoting healthy child development. This group is another alternative as a parenting program since it goes in-depth into child development, bridges learning into everyday practice, and develops parenting skills. The target for this program is families with children aged birth to six years.
Registration:
Please call us at 780-471-3737 to inquire or register. We'll ask some questions about technology and preferred time. We cannot guarantee that we will set the program on a preferred time but it will give us a reference for what time parents are looking for. Once we have 10 registrants, we will run the group within seven days to give our facilitator time to connect with families, gather demographic information, and drop-off any needed materials.
Parent Education provides opportunities for families to learn strategies that build their skills to parent. Join one of our free parent groups offered throughout the year. These groups are open to all families with children in the city of Edmonton.
For more details including date, time, and location of our groups and workshops please see our Program and Services Guide or our Events page.
It has allowed us to see areas where we need growth and then using that to fuel our play and pick out what they need. We've made plans with staff on how to develop those skills which allowed us to get the tools in our home for the play that my child needed. I see the amount of improvement and it's amazing.
- Project Impact Quote -
Parent Groups
These free groups are created for you to participate in your child's learning and development. Groups offer a wide variety of activities and resources. They connect you and your family with Norwood staff and other families in the north east and central neighbourhoods.
Groups for:
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children birth to 6 years old
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parents and children to play together
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accessing parenting information and community resources
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meeting new people from your community
For details on times and locations, please see our current Programs and Services Guide on the Community Page.
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
This parenting program provides you with a toolbox of parenting ideas that you, as the parent, can choose which ones are best for your family. You choose the strategies you needs. You choose how to use them. It is all about make the ideas and strategies of Triple P work for you.
Triple P can help you:
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Raise happy, confident children
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Manage challenging behaviours
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Set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
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Encourage behaviour you like
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Take care of yourself as a parent
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Feel confident you're doing the right thing
Triple P Seminar
This 2 hour session provides you, the parents with information on positive parenting strategies in a nutshell.
Topics are:
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The Power of Positive Parenting
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Raising Resilient Children
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Raising Confident, Competent Children
Triple P Discussion Group
This 2 hour session provides you the opportunity to discuss specific behaviours you have observed in your children.
Topics are:
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Dealing with Disobedience
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Developing Good Bedtime Routines
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Managing Fighting and Aggression
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Hassle-free Shopping with Children
Triple P Group
In this 8 session program you are provided with an in-depth look at parenting strategies and opportunities to practice them at home.
The breakdown of the 8 sessions:
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4-5 weeks in session
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2-3 weeks of follow-up phone calls
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1 last session together to celebrate
Triple P Primary Care
This is a four session Triple P program that provides one-on-one support for you, the parent or caregiver. You may involve your partner if you choose to. Sessions are a minimum of 15 minutes and a maximum of 2 hours. Offered to existing Norwood participants, in your home or at a Norwood location. Registration required.
Triple P is also available online for you to work through at your own pace.
For more information please contact us by email or visit the Parent Link website.
Empower-U
The Empower U program is a 12 session financial literacy program. Take control of your finances, reduce debt and save money. You will learn how to manage your money more effectively and have the chance to receive up to $750 in FREE matched savings!
The topics are budgeting, companies that deal with money, consumerism, credit, home ownership, debt repayment, plus lots more.
The program is 12 sessions and is available to men, women and couples. Empower U is presented in partnership with the United Way and ATB Financial.
Supper and limited child minding is provided. Registration required.
Father’s Club
Talk about parenting as a father figure. Father's Club is for men who are father, father figures, or soon to be fathers. Father Club meets once a month, every month. Healthy supper is provided. Limited child minding available.
Meditation Through Movement
Join us in this FREE 1-hour class where you will be able to focus on the present relax and regulate emotions & feelings. Yoga mats are provided. Drop-in group.
Family Support Services are offered to all families who have children in Norwood programs and for families on the wait list. Norwood staff work with a strength-based approach to help you and your family be your best.
A service for:
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families with children in Norwood programs
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home visits to talk with families about issues, concerns and goals you have for your children and family
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information and resources about your child’s learning and parenting tips
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referrals to community services based on child and family needs
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advocacy support
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supportive counseling
Family Support
Healthy Families
This is a long term home visit program in partnership with Alberta Health Service for first time “at risk” parents. “At risk” parents is determined by a number of factors.
Do you feel like you have little support? Would you like more information and help with your parenting and child development skills. Visits begin before your baby is born until your child is up to 3 months old. This service is provided up until your child is 5 years old.
Health for Two
This free program supports women through their pregnancy. You will meet with one of our Norwood staff who will provide you with information for a healthy pregnancy. You will also receive milk coupons, prenatal vitamins, and bus tickets to help you visit your doctor.