Triple P Program: WA Education Department launches parenting seminars

THE WA Education Department has made a world-renowned parenting program more accessible for parents of kindergarten-aged kids, in a bid to address early behavioural issues.

The Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) was launched by University of Queensland clinical psychology Professor Matt Sanders more than 40 years ago.

The award-winning program aims to help parents develop the skills and use a tool box of ideas to deal with children’s behavioural issues including concentration, obedience and aggression.

It has been rolled out 25 countries including Australia, United States, England, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

The Department is urging parents to join parenting seminars, which are being held across the Perth metropolitan area including Maylands, Karrinyup, Girrawheen, Pinjarra, Spearwood, Byford, Balga, Swan View and Waikiki.

Speaking to Community News at a seminar at Kyilla Primary School in North Perth today, Dr Sanders said the “re-focused” seminars were offered to all parents of kindergarten-aged children.

“It really began as a home-coaching program for parents of pre-school aged children who were aggressive and difficult almost 40 years ago part of my PhD,” he said.

“It has evolved since then to a multi-level system of parenting support that ranges from light touch seminars to more intensive programs for families with complex problems where parenting difficulties are complicated by mental health problems and substance abuse difficulties.

“If there was a single investment that a community could make to improve the outcomes for children, nothing is more important than parenting.”

Kyilla Primary School principal Jo Hine, who took the program as a young parent in the past, said schools saw parents who had a lot of capacity but needed an additional toolbox to give them strategies to help build more positive relationships with their kids.

“We have got kindergarten kids but we actually recommend it for all our parents so we run sessions throughout the year with our school psychologist because she is a facilitator,” she said.

Program ambassador Sarah McGowan encouraged mums and dads to attend a seminar in their local area.

“As a mother of three young children, the Triple P program provides you with a wonderful skill set to manage your children with more confidence,” she said.

Find a seminar at https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/

Dr Sanders’ key principles

1. Children are going to thrive when they are living in an environment that is safe and interesting where there are plenty of age-appropriate things for kids to do. Busy kids get into less strife.

2. A positive learning environment where parents have the skills to help children learn new skills and behaviours and these will include skills of praise, encouragement and providing appropriate activities for the kids.

3. The principle of a consistent, assertive discipline. Children need proper boundaries and limits and they need adults who have got the confidence to say ‘no, stick to it’ and have a parenting plan for dealing with difficult behaviour.

4. Having reasonable expectations of children and yourself.

5. Taking care of yourself as a parent. If you are in conflict, you’re miserable or lonely, feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, it is so much harder to do the other things.