Publication
Needs Assessment Toddler Parenting Resource
| Contents: | 1. Introduction 2. Main findings 3. Overview 4. Conclusions Appendix 1: Toddler resource questionnaire Summary |
4. Conclusions
There is clearly an identified need for a resource targeted at parents of toddlers, with both professionals and parents recognising the value that it could bring.
From a parental perspective, the requirement is for a resource which provides a context for understanding and coping with toddler behaviour:
• providing clear, realistic practical advice, offering a number of alternative strategies for dealing with problems;
• viewing the range of situations from a parent’s perspective and providing emotional support and reassurance with regard to their experiences.
In terms of the practical parenting issues identified, there was a great deal of consistency between parents and professionals. However, professionals emphasised the need to provide guidance about the emotional issues involved in parenting and child development (e.g. positive parenting and emotional development).
Practical parenting issues were uppermost in parents’ minds, and it was evident that these stemmed from a lack of knowledge of/confidence in the most appropriate approaches to adopt. Whilst facilitating the emotional and social development of their child also emerged as a key priority for respondents, most were unable to speak of this in terms of specific needs. Equally, there was an identified need for support for parents themselves, particularly with respect to managing the range of emotions they find themselves experiencing.
Overall, the key priority areas for inclusion in a toddler parenting resource emerged as being;
• Emotional development of child;
• Physical/social development of child;
• Behaviour management;
• Positive parenting;
• Coping with parenthood.
The majority of respondents felt that a printed booklet would be the most appropriate format for the resource, with the internal layout well broken up with photos and boxes.
The appropriateness of the tone of the text was considered crucial. It was suggested that this should be:
• empathetic;
• reassuring;
• inclusive;
• with examples/advice grounded in reality.
About a third of the professional sample felt that they would benefit from training in relation to providing support to parents of toddlers. This training would help them offer better practical advice and emotional support to parents.