Parent Café Conversations

Parent Café

Conversations

Tips, Tools

and Techniques

Technical Assistance

Conference

What are

Parent Café

s

?

ƒ Parent Cafes are a series of guided conversations using the World Café technique to increase community using the World Café technique to increase community wisdom, build parent voices and facilitate action to improve lives for children.

ƒ It is a process that is designed, planned and implemented by parents working with community

parents working with community partners.

Parent Café

Guidelines

ƒ Clarify the purposey p p

ƒ Create a hospitable space

ƒ Explore questions that matter

ƒ Encourage everyone’scontribution

ƒ Connect diverse perspectives

ƒ Connect diverse perspectives

ƒ Listen for themes and share discoveries

Create a

Café

Atmosphere

ƒ Select a space with light or view to create a welcome atmosphere

atmosphere

ƒ Make the space look like an actual Café

ƒ Use colorful tablecloths

ƒ Place large sheets of paper over each tablecloth along with a mug/glass filled with colorful markers

filled with colorful markers

ƒ Consider adding posters and flip charts

Café

Supplies

ƒ Tables and chairs

ƒ Tables and chairs

ƒ Colorful tablecloths

ƒ Flipchart paper

ƒ Colorful markers

ƒ Wall posterWall poster

ƒ Soft music

ƒ Candy

Café

Hosts and Table Hosts

I’m the Café Host what do I do? I m the Café Host, what do I do?

ƒ Work with planning team to determine purpose and who will be invited

ƒ Name your Café

ƒ Create a comfortable café environment

ƒ Welcome the participants as they enter

ƒ Explain the Café guidelines and Café etiquette

Café

Hosts and Table Hosts

I’m a Table Host what do I do? I m a Table Host, what do I do?

ƒ Remind people at your table to jot down key connections, ideas and discoveries

ƒ Remain at the table when others leave and welcome travelers from other tables

ƒ Briefly share key insights from the prior conversation so others can link and build on key ideas

Café

Conversations at a Glance

S ll t fé t bl

ƒ Small groups at café tables

ƒ Set up progressive rounds of conversation

ƒ Encourage members to write, doodle and draw key ideas

ƒ Use table hosts to welcome guests, briefly share i id li k d t id f i

main ideas, link and connect ideas from prior conversations

Café

Etiquette

ƒ Focus on what mattersFocus on what matters

ƒ Contribute your thinking

ƒ Speak your heart and mind

ƒ Listen to understand

ƒ Link and connect ideas

ƒ Listen together for insights

ƒ Play, doodle, draw

ƒ Have fun

Five Ways to Make

Collective Knowledge Visible

ideas on flip charts

ƒ Take a Gallery Tour

ƒ Post your insights C t Id Cl t

ƒ Create Idea Clusters

ƒ Make a placemat, newsletter article or picture book

Parent Café

as Annual Planning Tool

ƒ Parent Coalition Purpose

ƒ Scope of Work

ƒ Action Agenda Strategies Brief Power Point presentation on:

Action Agenda Strategies

1. Coalition Building

How do we spread the word about Coalition activities?

Parent Café

Table Discussions

– How do we spread the word about Coalition activities? – How do we increase membership?

2. Advocacy

– What can we do to build relationships with and educate policy makers and candidates?

– What resources and trainings need to be in place?g p

3. Parenting/Networking

– What parenting topics are of interest to members? – What parenting concerns do members have?

Let’s Practice!

ƒ Use Your Imagination! B C ti

ƒ Be Creative

ƒ Play, Experiment and have Fun!

Parent Café

and Strengthening Families

ƒ Strengthening Families is a national framework and model

model

ƒ Parents learn about the five protective factors to promote child development and build strong families

ƒ Parents share ideas and challenges

ƒ Parent build friendships and support

Five Protective Factors

1. Parental Resilience 2. Social Connections

3. Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development 4. Concrete Support in Times of Need

5. Social and Emotional Competence

Parental Resilience:

Be Strong and Flexible

Parents are able to cope with stress and have courage during stressful times have courage during stressful times

ƒ Maintain a positive attitude

ƒ Solve problems creatively

ƒ Rise to challenges in their lives effectively

ƒ Avoid situations that compromise their child’s healthy development

Social Connections:

Build Friendships With Others

ƒ Parents of young children can get to know other parents and form new friendships

and form new friendships

ƒ Parents can feel isolated and have a greater need for support when children are young

ƒ Friendships with others can be an:

- Important source for relief in times of parenting stress Advice and information on parenting issues

- Advice and information on parenting issues - Back up support

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: Being an Effective Parent

ƒ Parents know their child best

ƒ Being an effective parent is part natural and part learned

ƒ Parents are aware of parenting style and adjust for each child’s temperament

ƒ Understanding child development is an important U de sta d g c d de e op e t s a po ta t part of parenting and changes over time

Concrete Support:

We all need help at times

As a parent of a young child, it can be hard to get the help you need.

you need.

Finding your way around the essential services you need can be difficult. Getting help when you need it means that:

ƒ Accessing and connecting to resources

ƒ Select providers to meet your needs

ƒ Ask for assistance

ƒ Ask for assistance

Social and Emotional Competence:

Nurturing Relationships

Just as children’s brains and bodies develop, so do their emotions and their ability to express themselves.

emotions and their ability to express themselves. There are many ways parents can support their child’s social and emotional development so that children can:

ƒ Communicate

ƒ Cope with feelings Calm do n

ƒ Calm down

Tools for Strengthening Your Family

ƒ Parent Resource Guide

ƒ Parent Resource Guide

ƒ Parent Coalition Brochure

ƒ Bookmark

ƒ Parent Conference May 1, 2010

ƒ Playgroups and Workshops

ƒ Early Learning CalendarsEarly Learning Calendars

ƒ Child Care Connect

Sample

Parent Café

Questions

ƒ What does resiliency mean to you? y y How do you keep it going?

ƒ Who can I count on in my family, neighborhood or community and why?

ƒ When do I know if I need more child development information?

ƒ How does it impact my child when basic needs areHow does it impact my child when basic needs are not met?

ƒ What does social and emotional health look like for my child?

Resources for

Parent Café

ƒ Sample Evaluation Form

ƒ Sample Café QuestionsSample Café Questions

ƒ Sample Harvest Form

ƒ Sample Parent Café Notes

ƒ Resource List

Question Time!

For further information contact: For further information, contact:

Donna Lackie 248.209.2229 [email protected] Ki B 586 321 8342

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