Cooperative Extension in New York offers parents and caregiver a variety of programs designed to promote positive parenting and healthy child development. But are these programs making a difference?
A new analysis by Cornell faculty members suggests they are. Researchers surveyed more than 400 people who participated in parent education classes in nine New York counties. The classes each included at least six hours of instruction.
Before and after the courses, participants were asked ten questions about parenting attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge designed to capture some of what was taught in the class.
Participants showed significant improvements on eight of the ten questions, including:
- making rules that take their child’s needs into consideration.
- decreases in how often they yell at their child.
- decreases in the number of hours their children spend watching television.
- increased patience with their children.
- increased time spent reading with their child.
- increased use of explanations for rules they make.
- increased feelings of support.
- increased confidence in having the skills necessary to be a good caregiver.
The results suggest that these parent education courses are having a positive impact on their participants. You can learn more about the programs at http://www.parenting.cit.cornell.edu.
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