Summary of Evaluation Findings
Hand in Hand's Tantrum Training Pilot, 2003/04
Funded by the Bella Vista Foundation
Program Outline
Hand in Hand created a 3-week Tantrum Training curriculum, designed for groups of 10 infant/toddler center parents whose children were 16 to 36 months of age. It was delivered in English and Spanish. We also created an evaluation tool for the curriculum, using self-reporting pre- and post-tests and a follow-up telephone survey six months later. Ten Tantrum Training pilots were conducted, with an average class attendance of 11 parents. 100 participants completed the evaluations.
Brief Summary of Evaluation Results
Overall, the Tantrum Trainings were a major success. There was favorable movement of over 50% in some classes on the following statements: “I feel there is no way to get through to my child when he is having a tantrum,” “When my child is having a tantrum, it helps to leave him alone.” These are both common assumptions parents often hold about tantrums that Hand in Hand sought to change. We believe that it is possible to communicate with children during tantrums and that it helps to connect rather than disengage. These first two questions summarize much of the philosophy of Hand in Hand and therefore it is a large success that these two questions received such high degrees of change in attitude. The following statements also saw favorable movement of 50% or more:“I feel embarrassed when my child has a tantrum in public,” and “I want to teach my child not to have tantrums.” Again, large degrees of change in attitude on these questions signify that parents are seeing tantrums as a healthy part of child development and can uphold this in public. T o see any favorable degree of change of 50% or more for such a small sample size is quite remarkable.
Comments from parents on the post test about what was the most important thing they learned:
" I saw, through direct experiences of applying your ideas and techniques, a significantly positive effect on my children's closeness with me, and on my confidence as a mother. I was an "ignore/time-out" practitioner and believer. I am no longer and I already feel better about myself and closer to my children."
"This class had helped me learn compassion towards my child and myself. I'm more patient and open to my daughter. I know now what my daughter does is what she needs to do. I definitely feel more confident in my parenting. Thank you.
6 month retention rate
The preliminary results from our post-training parent surveys are also remarkable. The following is a summary of 20 calls completed to the 23 participants of the first 2 Tantrum Trainings, six months after the course. The course exposed parents to the use of three "Listening Tools:" Staylistening, Special Time, and Listening Partnerships as tools for relieving their children's upsets and their own.
19 parents regularly use Staylistening; 16 parents report using Special Time, and 11 parents still use Listening Partnerships. 19 of the 20 parents we were able to reach had a favorable impression of the training. Many parents had comments similar to this one:
"The Tantrum Training classes were incredibly positive. I loved them and it was an experience that has stayed with me. I will always use it, and it is laying a strong foundation for all our lives."
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