Project Description:
Promoting First Relationships (PFR) is a prevention program dedicated to promoting children's social-emotional development through responsive, nurturing caregiver-child relationships. PFR staff train service providers in the use of practical, effective strategies for promoting secure and healthy relationships between caregivers and young children birth to three years of age. Features of the training program include: videotaping caregiver-child interactions to provide insight into real-life situations; giving positive feedback that builds caregivers' competence with and commitment to their children; and focusing on the deeper emotional needs underlying children's challenging behaviors. Professionals who work with caregivers and young children often see the need to support and guide caregivers in building nurturing and responsive relationships with children. PFR gives professionals the knowledge, tools, and strategies to do so. Through this training, participants learn a unique consultation and intervention strategy that they can integrate into their work, whether in the high risk, special needs, child care, or other early childhood fields. The strategy can be used one-on-one with parents and also with child care providers and early childhood teachers responsible for group care. Because PFR is a positive, strengths-based model, caregivers are open to the intervention and gain competence, and thus investment, in their caregiving.The Promoting First Relationships training program integrates theory, practice and intervention. Trainers use various learning approaches including video case studies, role-playing, and reflective dialogue. These approaches allow participants to apply the framework directly to issues faced in their work environment.
