Tuning in to Kids (TIK)
A parenting program that focuses on emotions and is designed to assist parents to establish better relationships with their children, ages 3 to 12 years, with disruptive behavior problems. The program teaches parents simple emotion coaching skills – that is how to recognize, understand, and manage their own and their children’s emotions. When their children are emotional, parents: notice the emotion, name it, show empathy and then wait for the emotion to subside (often by comforting the child) before trying to talk about the situation leading to the emotional experience and or what to do about it. The program aims to prevent problems developing in children, promote emotional competence in parents and children, and when present, reduce and treat problems with children’s emotional and behavioral functioning. Delivery options range from a 6-session program with the general community through to a 10-session program for clinical/high need participants. The program can be used with parents and caregivers of children without disruptive behavior between 3 and 12 years of age as a preventive or early intervention.
Principal Researcher
Tuning in to Kids
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia
E-mail: sshavi@unimelb.edu.au