Groups providing support to the parents of pre-school children with challenging behaviour are proving a success.
In 2014, the Scottish Government’s Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP) supported early years staff in Fife to run local groups for 282 parents, helping them set their three and four year-old children on a more positive life course, and alleviating the stresses associated with challenging behaviour.
Around one in 10 pre-school children display persistent elevated behaviour problems, such as aggression and non-compliance. If a child’s behaviour is not addressed, research shows they are more likely to experience negative outcomes in later life, including school exclusion, substance misuse, or mental health problems.
There are two evidence-based programmes Incredible Years and Triple P which are delivered locally by NHS Fife, Fife Council and voluntary sector staff. These programmes help parents to strengthen their relationships with their children and promote sustained improvements in their social and behaviour development. Importantly, parents are guided to achieve their own individual goals by practising positive strategies.
In 2014, early years practitioners delivered 28 Incredible Years groups and seven Triple P groups.
Co-ordinator and Head of the Child and Family Clinical Service, Dr Marie Renaud, said:“I am delighted that this initiative is making a real difference in the lives of parents across Fife and their feedback has been extremely encouraging. “Managing difficult behaviour can take a significant toll on parents and these programmes address the ways they can encourage positive behaviour in their children, by watching DVDs, discussion, and practice, to make sure strategies are effective. Indeed, of the one in ten children with elevated behavioural problems, it is estimated that two thirds move out of the range that predicts poor future outcomes.”