Organizing and Conducting ACT Parenting Groups

• Create the budget.
• Secure funding: from own employer or other source.
• Engage in recruitment and registration.
• Confirm location, date, and time.
• Define and secure incentives: food and gifts, child care.

• Confirm list of participants: minimum of 8-10 parents.
• Continue recruitment if the ideal number of participants is not attained.
• Order ACT materials for parents.
• Make copies of materials, including evaluation questionnaires, Wheel of Feelings, homework sheets, worksheets, and others.

• Send a reminder to registered participants.
• Check logistics: room, materials, audio-visuals, incentives.
• Create name badges.

Organize participants in groups and ask each group to create a jingle based on a popular tune or song. The purpose is to sell an idea or concept they learned in the workshop. Each group should have a name and perform for the whole group.

Give each participant a sheet of paper and ask each to create an airplane. Then on it write an idea of what he/she will do first related to the ACT program. Then throw the airplane. The person who catches the airplane will write a new idea of what to do first with ACT and throw the airplane. The person who catches the airplane will write for the third time a new idea of what to do first with the program. Ask each participant to read out loud what is written on the last airplane caught. Each participant takes home his/her last airplane.

Each participant will write three statements about what they have learned on three different Post-its. Have Post-its on three flipcharts in a disorganized way on each one. Organize participants in three groups and ask each group to go to a flip chart and organize the Post-its in some order, and read aloud the statements.

Get all participants in a circle. Throw a small ball, and the person who catches it says what knowledge learned she/he will share in the workplace. Do this a few times or to everyone, depending on the number of participants. This will help participants think about contributions to his or her work environment by applying the knowledge and skills learned at the workshop.

Adult parents learn better when:

• They are treated as equals, mature, capable individuals.
• Learning incorporates three dimensions: cognitive, psychomotor, and affective.
• They are in an environment that encourages sharing of knowledge, opinions, and experiences.
• What is learned incorporates their previous experiences, knowledge, and skills.
• They are given illustrations, specific examples, pictures, scenarios, and demonstrations.
• They practice new skills and process new information.
• Their differing points of view are not judged.
• They see that they feel that they are successful.

• Set up the room to encourage interaction: tables facing each other, groups of tables in a circle.
• Decorate the room, if appropriate.
• Use positive and encouraging remarks.
• Help participants to speak up, ask for ideas, and call on them as “experts”.
• Remember to use praise, reinforce willingness to learn, and self-efficacy.
• Stop manipulators, interrupt with grace, and talk to others.
• Do not focus on individual problems; keep focus on general issues of parenting in the curriculum.
• Tell those presenting individual problems to wait until break to talk to you.
• Be knowledgeable and sensitive to diversity.
• Fill in silences, check what’s happening, offer suggestions, ask the group to review lessons.
• Facilitate with humor, keep participants energized, and calm rising tempers.
• Do not confront individuals with fierce opinions; ask questions, rephrase comments.

Visuals are effective because they:

• Increase message retention, make learning more efficient
• Simplify complex information

We suggest you use the color green to show movement, red for strong emotions, and blue for formal announcements.

Using flipcharts:

• Use different font styles, sizes, and colors. Use illustrations, fat markers, and colored Post-it notes.
• Limit to five or fewer key points per page.

Using videos and clips:

• Incorporate video to help make a point or illustrate a concept, or to elicit comments.