Parent University

What is it?

Parent University is a series of Parenting Workshops designed to appeal to parents of all ages of children, social backgrounds, and educational status. The Parent University philosophy is that parenting, like other types of education, is an ongoing and lifelong learning process. A Parent University can be on a Saturday, an evening, or a series of evenings. The numbers and topics of workshops should be based upon meeting the unique needs of the families in your community.

DOWNLOAD SDPRN’s Parent University Parent Guide

Tips for Workshop Leaders: Preparation

Choosing a Space
Decide on the kind of space you will need. Consider:	the number of participants you hope to have whether you will need an area for childcare location (it should be easy to get to) ease of access for participants with disabilities
Decide on a time for the workshop. Consider:	when most participants are available offering the workshop more than once (on the weekend as well as a weekday, or in the evening as well as in the daytime.
Select a location for your workshop. Consider:	the convenience for participants to find and have access to size of the rooms location of restrooms space for childcare availability of tables and chairs the date and time available the costs involved
Arrange for permission to use the space.
Arrange for the building and room to be open at least one hour before your workshop. Make arrangements for the room set-up. Consider:	enough chairs for all participants, workshop leaders and observers tables for small groups to work at a refreshment table a registration table (usually just outside the meeting room)
Getting People to Come
Make a list of everyone you think might be interested in attending. Consider:	parents community members teachers school officials
Make invitations. They should be in the first language of the people you are inviting and should include:	topic time and location the language that the workshop will be in (or if translators will be available) information about transportation and childcare information on how to register (include a form they can fill out and mail in or a phone number they can call) a phone number to call to ask questions
Send invitations out a month ahead of time
If you want to have a large number of participants, make notices. The notices should include the same information as the invitations above. Post them a month ahead of time in such places as:	the school grocery store Laundromats community centers library
Getting Ready Ahead of Time
Select the workshop activities you plan to use. Consider:	the skills and experience of your participants the time available
Make an agenda for your workshop. Allow time for:	registration and refreshments introductions the activities you have selected one or more breaks, as needed
Arrange for equipment you will need such as:	easel and chart paper markers tape pens and paper for participants overhead projector (make sure it works) and screen nametags copies of handouts (enough for all participants)
If you will not have an overhead projector, copy the overheads you will be using onto chart paper. use clear, large letters
Arrange for refreshments and serving equipment such as:	baked goods (purchased or cooked by volunteers soft drinks urns for coffee or tea cream and sugar cups, plates, napkins, spoons and forks
Enlist volunteers to help you with such tasks as:	setting up greeting participants preparing refreshments translating helping with childcare transportation cleaning up
Getting Yourself Ready
Prepare how you will open the workshop. Consider:	how you will introduce yourself and any other workshop leaders how participants will introduce themselves important information you need to share (for example, the location of the restrooms, when break time is and when the workshop will finish) any "icebreaker" or "getting to know you" activity you plan to do establishing "ground rules"
Make a list of everything you need to bring with you and do the day of the workshop. Use it as a checklist.