Promoting First Relationships

2021

Promoting First Relationships (PFR) is a prevention curriculum program dedicated to promoting children's social emotional development through responsive, nurturing caregiver child relationships. 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. PFR staff train service providers in the use of practical, effective strategies for promoting secure and healthy relationships between caregivers and young children from 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. PFR integrates theory, practice and intervention. Through this training, participants from many disciplines learn relationship based consultation and intervention strategies that they can integrate into their work with families with infants and young children. The strategies 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.

Developing & Disseminating Information

Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers

None

State

N/A