Parent Café Conversations Tips, Tools and Techniques Great Start Technical Assistance Conference April 15 and 16, 2010 What are Parent Café s? Parent Cafes are a series of guided conversations using the World Café technique to increase community wisdom, build parent voices and facilitate action to improve lives for children. It is a process that is designed, planned and implemented by parents working with community partners. 1
Parent Café Guidelines Clarify the purpose p Create a hospitable space Explore questions that matter Encourage everyone s contribution Connect diverse perspectives Listen for themes and share discoveries Create a Café Atmosphere Select a space with light or view to create a welcome atmosphere Make the space look like an actual Café Use colorful tablecloths Place large sheets of paper over each tablecloth along with a mug/glass filled with colorful markers Consider adding posters and flip charts Provide beverages and snacks 2
Café Supplies Tables and chairs Colorful tablecloths Flipchart paper Colorful markers Wall poster Soft music Candy Café Hosts and Table Hosts I m Im the Café Host, what do I do? Work with planning team to determine purpose and who will be invited Name your Café Create a comfortable café environment Welcome the participants as they enter Explain the Café guidelines and Café etiquette 3
Café Hosts and Table Hosts I m Im a Table Host, what do I do? Remind people at your table to jot down key connections, ideas and discoveries Remain at the table when others leave and welcome travelers from other tables Briefly share key insights from the prior conversation so others can link and build on key ideas Café Conversations at a Glance Small groups at café tables Set up progressive rounds of conversation Encourage members to write, doodle and draw key ideas Use table hosts to welcome guests, briefly share main ideas, link and connect ideas from prior conversations Share discoveries in whole group 4
Café Etiquette Focus on what matters Contribute your thinking Speak your heart and mind Listen to understand Link and connect ideas Listen together for insights Play, doodle, draw Have fun Five Ways to Make Collective Knowledge Visible Use a graphic recorder drawing the group s ideas on flip charts Take a Gallery Tour Post your insights Create Idea Clusters Make a placemat, newsletter article or picture book 5
Parent Café as Annual Planning Tool Brief Power Point presentation on: Parent Coalition Purpose Scope of Work Action Agenda Strategies Parent Café Table Discussions 1. Coalition Building 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? 3. Parenting/Networking What parenting topics are of interest to members? What parenting concerns do members have? 6
Let s Practice! Use Your Imagination! Be Creative Play, Experiment and have Fun! Parent Café and Strengthening Families Strengthening Families is a national framework and model Parents learn about the five protective factors to promote child development and build strong families Parents share ideas and challenges Parent build friendships and support Parents learn about resources 7
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 Maintain a positive attitude Solve problems creatively Rise to challenges in their lives effectively Avoid situations that compromise their child s healthy development 8
Social Connections: Build Friendships With Others Parents of young children can get to know other parents and form new friendships Parents can feel isolated and have a greater need for support when children are young Friendships with others can be an: - Important source for relief in times of parenting stress - Advice and information on parenting issues - Back up support Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: Being an Effective Parent Parents know their child best Being an effective parent is part natural and part learned Parents are aware of parenting style and adjust for each child s temperament Understanding child development is an important U de sta d g c d de eop e t s a po ta t part of parenting and changes over time 9
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. Finding your way around the essential services you need can be difficult. Getting help when you need it means that: Accessing and connecting to resources Select providers to meet your needs 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. There are many ways parents can support their child s social and emotional development so that children can: Communicate Cope with feelings Calm down Solve problems 10
Tools for Strengthening Your Family Parent Resource Guide Parent Coalition Brochure Bookmark Parent Conference May 1, 2010 Playgroups and Workshops Early Learning Calendars Child Care Connect Sample Parent Café Questions What does resiliency mean to you? How do you keep it going? Who can I count on in my family, neighborhood or community and why? When do I know if I need more child development information? How does it impact my child when basic needs are not met? What does social and emotional health look like for my child? 11
Resources for Parent Café Bookmark Sample Agenda Sample Flier Sample Budget Sample Evaluation Form Sample Café Questions Sample Harvest Form Sample Parent Café Notes Resource List Question Time! For further information, contact: Donna Lackie 248.209.2229 Donna.Lackie@oakland.k12.mi.us??? Kim Bowyer 586.321.8342 8342? Kim.Bowyer@oakland.k12.mi.us 12