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Tuning in to Kids is an evidence based parenting program developed by Dr. Sophie Havighurst and Ann Harley in Melbourne, Australia with research trials conducted through The University of Melbourne. The program provides a new way of working with families that focuses on the emotional connection between parents and children. The program teaches parents skills in emotion coaching, which is to recognise, understand and manage their own and their children’s emotions.; Tuning in to Kids teaches parents to use children’s emotional experiences as an opportunity for closeness and teaching, as well as to understand and use emotions effectively to self soothe and to use these skills to assist in problem solving and limit setting. Multiple randomised controlled trials of the program have shown that Tuning in to Kids leads to very positive outcomes including improving parenting, parent-child relationships and children’s emotional competence and behaviour.; The program has been particularly effective with children with clinical level emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Tuning in to Kids teaches parents :

• awareness and regulation of their own emotions
• awareness of their children’s emotions
• to use children’s emotional experiences as an opportunity for closeness and teaching
• skills in assisting children to verbally label their emotions
• skills in assisting children in problem solving
• to guide children’s behaviour with appropriate limits

The research evaluation of Tuning in to Kids found that when parents learned these parenting skills, this was related to improvements in children’s emotional competence, social skills and behaviour. For children with behaviour or anxiety problems, the program was particularly effective.

The Mindful Centre is holding a 3-day Tuning in to Kids & Tuning in to Teens workshop on the 2, 3 & 4 July 2014, at the University of London 20 Bedford Way centre.

An introduction to attachment and implications for learning and behaviour

Melksham Project involves collaboration between Melbourne University and Bath Spa

Kids Matter collaborate with Tuning in to Kids in schools in Australia

There is plenty of evidence that outcomes for children and young people; improve with parent and family support.; NICE guidelines jointly produced by the NHS and Social Care recommend that parents of children with a conduct disorder should be offered a parenting programe. CAMHS and Schools: early action project in Australia have joined with Tuning in to Kids in providing emotion coaching for parents and teachers as an early intervention for young children considered at risk of developing a conduct disorder.