The Creative Arts Team's Parent education Program uses interactive drama workshops to provide parents the opportunity to examine situations that jeopardize family relationships. Through educational drama activities, such as role-play and improvisation, participants learn how economic, work-related and personal pressures affect the stability of the family.
CAT’s professional actor/teachers involve participants in carefully designed drama exploring common issues in child rearing and household management. The program offers a unique opportunity for parents to understand the source of family conflicts and dramatize proactive solutions with their peers in a safe environment. Through this program, parents develop the tools to improve and nurture relationships within their families and become better advocates for their children.
Given the range of issues impacting families, workshops are tailored to meet the needs of specific populations. Parents find that every topic covered is one that they have been faced with within their role as ‘parent.’ The bonding of shared experiences and common frustrations results in a community network that lasts beyond the duration of the workshop series.
"Things have certainly changed in my house since I’ve been attending these parent workshops!”
- Parent, Bronx
Workshop themes:
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Discipline
- Sex, Drugs and Risky Behavior
- Challenges in the 21st Century
- Juggling Work and Family
- Bullying
- Stress and Anger Management
- Diversity Awareness
- Literacy/homework help
Participants:
Participants are parents, including teen parents, parents of children with special needs, grandparents, foster parents, homeless parents, incarcerated parents, and all other guardians or family members
Program requirements:
A room large enough to accommodate 25 people comfortably
A black or dry-erase board
Movable furniture
Length of program:
Single 1 to 2 hour workshop OR Series of 5 workshops, each lasting up to 90-minutes
“After only two sessions I was learning how to listen and affirm my five year old rather than constantly telling him to be quiet and sit down.”
- Parent, Brooklyn
