Find resources / Group parenting programme / About the group programme

This programme has been developed for anyone who supports young parents by delivering a group parenting programme.

The programme contains the following 8 modules covering topics prescribed by the Youth Service parenting guidelines:

1. Brain development
2. Child development
3. The importance of play
4. Keeping children safe
5. Managing our stress
6. Reading babies' cues
7. Thinking about parenting
8. Managing behaviour

In each module there are a number of corresponding workshops to choose from. The workshops you choose to present will depend on:

• the size of your group
• how much time you have
• the ages of the participants’ children
• factors such as literacy levels and the particular needs of the individuals you are working with.

It's important you tailor your sessions to meet the needs of your group. For example, the programme you run for 2 young people with pēpi under 3 months old will differ from a programme with a larger number of parents, or parents of older tamariki.

The recommended resources are mostly sourced from:

• Well Child Tamariki Ora My Health Book (external link)
• Whānau Āwhina Plunket website (external link)
• Tākai resources(external link)
• Tākai website

Some workshops may need additional materials, such as a whiteboard, pens and paper, toys or craft materials. When planning a workshop, read through the activities to make sure you have everything you need ahead of time.