D & amp;E classes teach positive parenting

One mother said she felt out of options until she went to the parenting class.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- D & amp;E Counseling Center has its own kinder, gentler version of the "Supernanny" television show.
D & amp;E offers a parent training/education class that helps parents, grandparents and other caregivers deal with behavioral problems of their children, or just shows them how to be better parents in general.
Janet Yount of Youngstown, a parenting class alumna, said she took the class in 2005 to help her get along better with her son, Shawn, who was 3 at the time.
"When I would tell him no, you can't go outside, he would throw a fit. He would hit me and kick me and yell and cry and be destructive in the house," she said.
Yount, a single mother, said she felt she was out of options until she went to the D & amp;E parenting class.
"It helped a lot to learn how to discipline Shawn without paddling him, and how to play and let him make up his own rules," Yount said.
Yount said her son seemed to get along with kids at school, but with her, he just wanted his way.
"He just wore me down emotionally," she said.
Sharing of problems
In addition to helping her with her son, Yount said the class made her realize she was not alone, that there were other parents with similar problems. It also helps parents understand why their children act the way they do, she said.
One of the techniques offered by the class is called the Star Chart, which is used for positive reinforcement of good behavior.
For example, said Gary Baughman, program coordinator, the child might get a star put on the chart for doing something he's asked to do, and when he accumulates five stars, he can choose a snack or something else he wants.
Baughman, who suggested using points or stamps for older children, said giving children choices makes them feel like they are in control, Baughman said.
Setting limits
During one of this year's sessions, Baughman's main topic was limit setting.
In the beginning, Baughman said, "You need to catch your child doing something good as often as possible to reinforce and praise positive behavior."
But when negative behavior occurs, parents can use the "if then" technique.
For example, if the child is taken to the park to play and misbehaves, Baughman said the parent can say if the behavior continues then there will be no television when he gets home.
He said it is vital that parents find time to give a child their undivided attention, to play a game or a puzzle or watch a TV program together at a certain time.
One key is to start out with something small that is likely to be successful. Also, he said rewards have to be something in which the child is interested.
"When you get resistance, don't stop playing and praising. Also, say what you mean and mean what you say. You can't deviate because deviation reinforces negative behavior," Baughman tells the parents.
A primary goal of the parent training program is to help parents deal with common behavior problems in children. The more effective parents become, the less risk there is of abuse or neglect.
Support system
The program also helps parents develop a support system, people they can turn to, after the program is over, Baughman said.
Knowing when to ask and who to ask for help is one of the primary focuses of the program, he said.
"We always start out teaching positive approaches to parenting and using play to build a better relationship.
"Most people respond well to positive reinforcement, and children are no exception. It helps build the child's problem-solving skills and attachment to parents. Children learn through play," Baughman said.
The parent training program runs from seven to 12 two-hour sessions in the evening, and are conducted at various locations around Mahoning County.
The current session is nearly over, but D & amp;E plans to run another session this summer, Baughman said.
Interested people should call D & amp;E at (330) 793-2487 for registration information.
Baughman said the parent training program is a great opportunity to bring people together who show a common interest in parenting, and help them realize, in a nonjudgmental way, that they can deal with the everyday difficulties and joys of parenting.
Also, he said attendees are urged to share what they've learned with significant others.
Baughman, along with Shirley Ferguson and Stacey Roberts, provide several early childhood intervention programs at D & amp;E in addition to the parent training.
alcorn@vindy.com