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TextThe Nurturing Parenting Program® in Fairfax County
What is the Nurturing Parenting Program® and what is its philosophy?
The Nurturing Parenting Program® is a curriculum used by the Department of Family Services that offers caring, comprehensive classes to parents and their children to help them learn new ways to work together as a family. Nurturing parenting is based on the philosophy that parenting is learned – the way parents were raised directly influences the way they raise their children. The program helps parents learn nurturing behaviors in place of others that are hurtful to children. A basic principle of the nurturing philosophy is that most parents would rather build happy, healthy interactions in their families rather than struggle with problems they were never taught to solve.
Who participates in the Nurturing Parenting Program®?
Families enroll in the program to make their families stronger and closer. This program helps participants understand nurturing behaviors and learn how nurturing behaviors can work within their family environment. Together the family learns to:
- Build and develop the ability to recognize and value the thoughts and feelings of others.
- Handle uncomfortable feelings such as stress and anger.
- Communicate in non-threatening ways.
- Establish consistent, nurturing routines for fun family activities.
- Use alternatives to physical punishment.
- Take charge of their own feelings and behaviors, and interact with others in positive ways.
Who may participate in the program?
Families living in Fairfax County who want to build healthy interactions and create positive change within their family.
What is the cost?
Classes are FREE and include an evening meal and child care.
What are the requirements for participating?
- Participants must agree to complete the program as a family.
- Participants should be comfortable in a group learning environment.
- Participants must commit to attend the first three sessions to allow the group learning process to develop.
Participants of the Nurturing Parenting Program® have indicated that the classes:
- Help build strong, positive relationships with family members.
- Increase understanding and respect for the needs of family members.
- Provide information about what to expect from children at different ages and developmental stages.
- Increase the self-confidence of parents and children by focusing on strengths.
- Offer alternatives to hitting, spanking and yelling.
The Nurturing Parenting Program®, a program developed by Stephen Bavolek, PhD., seeks to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect by educating parents and their children. In partnership with our community and with a commitment to quality service, the program promotes self-reliance in families and individuals by providing essential knowledge and resources tailored to the needs of the children, adolescents and adults.
Available Classes:
Parents and Children (Newborn to 4 years old)
Offered in English and Spanish. 21 sessions
Parents learn about recognizing and understanding feelings, nurturing
parenting routines, alternatives to hitting, infant massage, child
development, and ways to foster positive self-esteem in themselves and
their children.
Parents and Children (5 to 11 years old) Offered in
English and Spanish. 13 sessions
Parents and children learn to increase their empathy, discover new ways
to encourage appropriate behaviors, build positive self-concept and
self-esteem, and learn how to have fun as a family.
Parents and Adolescents (12 to 17 years old)
Offered in English. 12 sessions
Family members learn nurturing communication strategies, how to
recognize each other’s needs, how to understand the developmental stages
of adolescence, and ways to build their own personal power, self-concept
and self-esteem.
Parents and Children: Family Focused African-American – Focusing
on Culture Offered in English.
The core program for this curriculum is the same as the basic Nurturing
Parenting curriculum at that age level. However, this curriculum also
emphasizes how African-American history has affected the current life
process for African-Americans, and it includes topics such as the slave
experience, transcending oppression and acculturation, spirituality, and
accessing resources. Other topics discussed include: empowerment of the
African-American family, the prevalent forms of discipline within the
African-American community, the affect of oppression and the media on
African-American families, and the importance of community.
Read about Curriculum Topics (PDF) in the various classes.
Download the Nurturing Parenting
Enrollment Form (PDF).
Here's how you can become involved with
parent education as a volunteer or partnering organization.
For more information about this program, call or write:
Fairfax County Department of Family Services
Children, Youth and Family Division
Child Abuse Prevention
12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia 22035
English: 703-324-7691 • TTY: 703-222-9452
Spanish: 703-324-7405 • TTY: 703-222-9452
African American Cultural Focus: 703-324-7501 • TTY: 703-222-9452
Partnering and Community Involvement: 703-324-7745 • TTY
703-222-9452
Volunteer Manager: 703-324-7871 • TTY 703-222-9452
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