Common Sense Parenting Classes

Upcoming Free Classes

Who Should Attend: Parents and Professionals
Must call 712-302-7999 to pre-register and join our waiting list

Classes for Parents of Toddlers and Preschoolers

Tuesdays, August 27 - October 8 | 6 - 8 p.m.
Charles E. Lakin YMCA
235 Harmony St.
Council Bluffs, IA

Toddlers and Preschoolers

This class meets once a week for two hours for seven weeks. The class covers the following:

• How I Grow and Learn — Helps parents understand development, set expectations, and find different ways to nurture their children.
• My First Teachers — Helps parents teach children right from wrong using clear communication and reasonable positive and negative consequences.
• Catch Me Being Good — Helps parents observe and create more opportunities to encourage good behavior through praise, attention, and affection.
• Teach Me What to Do — Helps parents learn effective ways to teach children better habits through practice.
• Help Me Do What's Right — Shows parents how to correct problem behaviors without a power struggle.
• Help Me Calm Down — Teaches parents how to correct problem behaviors and give children the time and skills needed to calm down.
• Putting It All Together — Helps parents develop a parenting style that will improve relationships with their children.

Children Ages 6-16

This class meets once a week for two hours for six weeks. The class covers the following:

• Parents as Teachers — Shows parents how to teach children self-discipline.
• Effective Praise — Helps parents encourage positive behaviors by responding enthusiastically and sincerely.
• Preventive Teaching — Enables parents to teach children what they'll need to know in future situations, as well as practice using the skill.
• Corrective Teaching — Responds to children's problem behaviors with teaching and practicing acceptable alternatives. Parents will be able to adhere to a staying-calm plan for when they become upset with their children.
• Teaching Self-Control — Teaches a skill parents can use to allow children time to calm down and remain calm in future situations.
• Putting It All Together — Helps parents develop a parenting style that will improve relationships with their children.

We also provide training for professionals that want to bring Common Sense Parenting to their community. Learn more.