The years of a child’s life between three and seven years old are known by experts in child development to be ‘The Incredible Years.’

Spread across 14 weeks since early January 2023, Family Connections – Newtownabbey Programme and Parent Workers, Claire and Emma have been taking a group of local parents through THE INCREDIBLE YEARS programme.

The programme mixes information with time to relax in the company of other parents, sharing experiences and encouraging each other with learning together about everything from:

• Tips on promoting positive behaviour.
• How to manage your child’s big emotions.
• Motivating children through rewards and praise.
• Setting consistent rules and routines in the home.
• The importance of play in aiding development, communication and building relationships.
• Creative and imaginative play.
• Building up on our knowledge and how we can teach/educate our kids through play as well as building up their independence and improving communication and relationships.

Claire and Emma said

“ We have absolutely loved working with this amazing group of parents. It has been a privilege to watch them grow in confidence week by week. Their determination and commitment to The Incredible Years Programme was inspiring. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of this fantastic group of parents. “

11 Parents completed the course. They had lots to say about their experience of  The Incredible Years programme –

“This is just what is needed!”

“Very well-informed leaders.”

“Great Advice on communication and attention.”

“Learning to not ask so many questions and actively narrate what is going on is going to be extremely helpful for us.”

“The sessions are so helpful. They changed my approach to making my children listen to me and helped us make time to play together.”

“I learned how to ask better questions to my child and when not to ask any!”

“Getting the opportunity to role play situations was good. It meant we could practice what we learned in the sessions.”

“It’s great to get ideas from and share with other parents who are going through the same experiences. We really can help each other understand how to use what we learn when we are at home.”

“The best thing about the things we learnt on The Incredible Years programme is that everything we learnt actually works at home!”

“I got everything I expected and so much more from the programme, it was excellent!”

“I had a situation at a social event where my son had a tantrum and I was able to use the techniques I learnt on the course into practise and they really worked.”

“EVERYONE SHOULD BE TAUGHT ALL OF THIS BEFORE THEY BECOME PARENTS. I WISH I COULD HAVE DONE THIS COURSE BEFORE I BECAME A PARENT!”

What’s next for Family Connections – Newtownabbey?

In addition to continuing to support parents on a weekly basis, Claire and Emma are already turning their attention to running another Parentivity course during the summer term and also planning a series of family activities to take place during the summer…

Check out the Family Connections – Newtownabbey Facebook page for details.