What is the Nurturing Parenting Program® and what is its philosophy?
The Nurturing Parenting Program® is a program in 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 program:
- Helps build strong, positive relationships with family members.
- Increases understanding and respect for the needs of family members.
- Provides information about what to expect from children at different ages and developmental stages.
- Increases the self-confidence of parents and children by focusing on strengths.
- Offers 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 and Spanish. 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: African-American Cultural Focus
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
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/factsheets/nurturingparenting.htm
Fairfax County is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all
county programs, services and activities
and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
This document is available in alternate formats upon request.
Please call 703-324-5870; TTY 703-222-9452.
Allow two weeks for preparation of the material.