Principled Parenting Program
API's Principled Parenting Program is a revolutionary new way to approach parent education. More than a parenting class focusing on short-term solutions, API's program is a comprehensive series of classes for every stage and age of child development from infancy through adulthood, providing tools for long-term family connections.
Details for API's Next Parent Educator TrainingWhat: API's Principled Parenting Program Parent Educator Certification Course Who: Individuals seeking certification to teach API's Principled Parenting Program classes in their community When: Friday, July 11, 1-5 pm and Saturday, July 12, 9 am-1 pm Where: Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable MA (approximately a two hour drive from Boston Logan airport, Providencetown MA airport or Providence RI airport) Cost: $250 for general public, $200 for API Leaders Included in the cost:
Transportation, food and lodging are the responsibility of the registrant. When registering, please indicate what (if any) childcare you may need. Where to stay:
Training Pre-requisites
Please note that space is limited, so register early to reserve your place! Register for this trainingExpress interest in future trainings.Read more about API's Principled Parenting Program below. Questions? Email Art Yuen |
About the Principled Parenting Program
Parenting classes typically result in some kind of positive change for about six months, after which parents revert to old practices if they are not provided with some sort of on-going support. Parents are often overwhelmed and exhausted, with more on their plates than they ever anticipated when they were expecting their first baby. When we're desperate for solutions, many parents tend to defer to the quick-fix that promises immediate relief even if it doesn't deliver lasting change.
Old habits die hard. That's why we need new thinking about old behavior.
And that's where API comes in.
Choose whether you'd like to review:
Principled Parenting Program for Parents
What's different about API's Principled Parenting Program?
API's Principled Parenting Program doesn't invest in the "quick fix," but rather the long-term. That's why parents won't learn techniques and tactics, but rather come away from every class with a deeper understanding of themselves and their children. Through this growth, API empowers parents to raise their families in a more secure, connected and compassionate home environment which children internalize and carry throughout their development.
API's Principled Parenting Program is effective and comprehensive, based on proven methodologies and the most up-to-date research in attachment and child development. API's Principled Parenting Program goes the extra distance, offering ongoing, long-term support to parents, through local support groups and online forums. To ensure the highest standards, API's Principled Parenting Program measures class effectiveness over time.
Please take a moment to fill out our brief survey if you would like more information about API's Principled Parenting Program and to join our mailing list about up-coming classes and events.
API's Principled Parenting Program Goal
Ultimately, the goal of API's Principled Parenting Program is to provide parents with the tools they need to be successful as parents. So, instead of telling parents what to do, API's Parent Educators will give parents the tools to develop the mindset and the confidence they need to develop a nurturing, connected relationship with their children.
API's Principled Parenting Program is the realization of a long-standing dream of API co-founders Lysa Parker and Barbara Nicholson. Through the Program, API will be able to reach out to more people than ever before.
API's Mission
Our mission is to educate and support all parents in raising secure, joyful and empathetic children in order to strengthen families and create a more compassionate world.
Principled Parenting Program Description
The Principled Parenting Program is comprised of seven "modules," each focusing on a different stage of childhood:
- Infancy (ages 0-12 months)
- Toddler (ages 1-3)
- Early Childhood (ages 3-5)
- Childhood (ages 5-9)
- Pre-Adolescence (ages 9-12)
- Adolescence (ages 12-18)
- Young Adult (ages 18-21)
Within each of the seven modules, 3 different types of courses are offered to parents:
- A short introductory class
- A basic "core curriculum" class
- Specialty "intensive" classes focusing on specific issues associated with that stage of childhood development.
The basic "core curriculum" classes are comprised of four, 3-hour sessions, offered weekly in a 4-week series. In addition to the basic "core curriculum" class, there is a shorter introductory class and at least one intensive class offered for each module. The introductory class is a one-day, 3-hour summary class that reviews the main tenets of attachment parenting as they relate to this stage of child development. The "intensive" classes is a one-day, 3-hour focused sessions on specific subjects relating to this stage of child development, such as infant sleep or toddler temper tantrums.
The class curriculum is based on solid, research-based methodologies, and focuses on the five primary habits of:
- Reflectiveness
- Empathy
- Responsiveness
- Respect
- Self-care
Parents are always approached with the inclusiveness and non-violent communication (NVC) methods embraced by API. The goal of API's Principled Parenting Program is to provide the knowledge parents need to make informed decisions.
Principled Parenting Program Class Registration, Costs, Support
Class registration will be available through API's website. All classes require a minimum enrollment of 8 and allow a maximum enrollment of 20. The cost for the four-session basic "core curriculum" class for attendees is $100 for one parent or $175 per couple, plus $5 for shipping of materials.
Attendees need a copy of the Founders' book for the Basic Core Class. This book is offered separately in the event that any class attendees already own it. Course materials and workbooks will be shipped to the Parent Educator for distribution at the first class.
Basic "core curriculum" class attendees will also receive a free six-month membership to API and two free issues of The Journal of API. There will also be a closed forum for each class created on the API message board that will be moderated by the Parent Educator for six months. API's open forums are always free and available to all parents. Each introductory or intensive class is $50 per attendee, plus $5 for shipping of the materials. Course materials and workbooks will be shipped to the Parent Educator for distribution during class.
Parents who attend an introductory or intensive class and who are not already members of API will receive a free 3-month membership and one free copy of The Journal of API.
The following classes are part of the Principled Parenting Program:
- Basic Core Class - This course is comprised of 4 sessions of three hours each. The cost is $100 per person or $175 per couple and the course includes a 6 month membership with API, 2 issues of The Journal of API, a 6 month closed class forum, Local Parent Support Group, and Open forums.
- Introductory Class - This course is comprised of 1 3-hour session and costs $50/person. Included with the class is a 3 month membership with API, 1 issue of The Journal of API, a 3 month closed class forum, Local Parent Support Group, and Open forums.
- Intensive Class - This course is comprised of 1 3-hour session and costs $50/person. Included with the class is a 3 month membership with API, 1 issue of The Journal of API, a 3 month closed class forum, Local Parent Support Group, and Open forums.
For Parent-Educators
Whether you are a Parent Educator, or are interested in becoming a Parent Educator, this section outlines the program basics. Please take a moment to fill out our brief survey which will help us determine where our future training sessions will be held and to give us a better understanding of the needs of our future API Parent Educators. By filling out this survey, you will be given the opportunity to join our mailing list for updates, course locations, and other information.
Training and Certification
API Parent Educators may train in, and be certified to teach, any or all of the seven Program modules:
- Infancy (ages 0-12 months)
- Toddler (ages 1-3)
- Early Childhood (ages 3-5)
- Childhood (ages 5-9)
- Pre-Adolescence (ages 9-12)
- Adolescence (ages 12-18)
- Young Adult (ages 18-21)
Each module of certification thoroughly reviews API's Eight Principles of Parenting for the relevant age group. Training is based on solid, research-based methodologies and focuses on the five primary habits of reflectiveness, empathy, responsiveness, respect, and self-care. The goal of the certification is to give each Parent Educator a strong background in the research of Attachment Parenting and to ensure that Parent Educators approach parents with the inclusiveness and non-violent communication methods embraced by API.
API's certification process will also train Parent Educators on leading and facilitating classes. API Parent Educators will receive marketing materials and tips for promoting classes and attracting enrollment in their city. Each module of certification will require a full-day (8-hour) training certification course. These courses will typically be offered in two half-day sessions. Parent Educators are required to be certified in the Infancy and Toddler module before they begin offering classes in their local communities. These two modules will typically be offered in a 4-day weekend session (Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, Sunday morning, Monday morning). Additional modules may be added one at a time, and may eventually be available via distance learning.
The cost for certification will be $125 per module. API offers a weekend class consisting of two modules for the cost of $250. This will include all materials Parent Educators need for their training, as well as a packet to help them get started in their local community.
Once a Parent Educator has been certified in all seven modules, he or she will become a "Master Parent Educator", and will be eligible to participate in additional programs.
Parent Educator training events will often be paired with API weekend conferences open to the local community. The conferences will be held on Saturdays and Sundays, around training schedules, and will include noted AP authors and speakers, the chance to meet and buy signed copies of the new book by API co-founders, a silent auction, and vendor booths. The conference will cost an additional $25 for Parent Educator trainees, and $50 for the general community.
We expect the first training event to be in the Boston area in June, and other locations being considered for the remainder of 2008 are Austin, Atlanta, and New York. Locations and dates are TBD, based on feedback from Parent Educator candidates.
Beyond Certification
Annual dues for Parent Educators are $75, and this includes membership in API and a listing on the API website. Materials such as letterhead, business cards, and API merchandise are available at near-cost. Additional teaching aides (such as videos) are offered as they become available.
API offers class registration and payment through the API website. Parent Educators receive a quarterly payment of their earned fees, which are 75% of class fees. API also offers forum space to each Parent Educator so that he or she may moderate post-class discussions, an important part of the Principled Parenting Program.
API will support and encourage Parent Educators in efforts to seek local funding, such as grants and donations, to offer Principled Parenting Programs to high-risk communities. Parent Educators may ask API to apply for these grants using API's non-profit status. In addition, a group of Parent Educators may choose to apply for a grant together. The API Development Team will assist the Parent Educator with the completion of these grant applications, and API will hold awarded funds as allocated to programs of specific Parent Educators.
