Parent Education for the Critical 1000 Days

by Mary L. Nolan

Overview

As research in neuroscience increasingly points to the unparalleled influence of the first 1000 days of life from conception to two years of age in determining the baby’s life trajectory, the need for high-quality early parenting education delivered by knowledgeable and dedicated professionals becomes ever more apparent.

This book describes the global aims of early parenting education. It identifies the key areas that research suggests are important: building a relationship with the unborn and newborn baby; preparing for labour and birth; supporting parents’ mental health; protecting the couple relationship across the transition to parenthood; and education for special groups such as same-sex couples, women with fear of birth, prisoners, military wives and parents from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

All practitioners providing early parenting programmes – midwives, health visitors, family link workers, children’s centre staff and voluntary sector teachers – will gain new ideas for their practice in this book. Students taking midwifery and early childhood courses will find much to support their studies. Ultimately, the book provides inspiration for all those who are committed to the role of parenting education in reducing social inequalities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781000037548
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/12/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	250
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Mary L. Nolan trained as a birth and parenting educator in the UK with the NCT (formerly the National Childbirth Trust). She has taught both parents and educators across the world, and has published extensively in academic, professional and popular journals. Since 2007, she has been Professor of Perinatal Education at the University of Worcester, UK.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. Aims of Early Parent Education 3. Effective Parent Educators: Skills and Relationships 4. Supporting Parents’ Prenatal Relationship with their Baby 5. Stress and Relaxation: Education for a Calm Pregnancy 6. Education and Support for Normal Birth 7. Education and Support for Home Birth 8. Education and Support for Women with Fear of Childbirth 9. Debriefing Women following Childbirth: Birth Story Workshops 10. Education and Support for Fathers 11. Education and Support for the Couple Relationship across the Transition to Parenthood 12. Education and Support for Same-Sex Couples 13. Education and Support for Interacting with the Baby: Emotional Regulation and Relationship Learning 14. Education and Support for Breastfeeding 15. Education and Support for Young Mothers 16. Education and Support for Mothers and Fathers in Prison 17. Education and Support for At-Home Parents in Military Families 18. A Note on Education and Support for Parents of Twins 19. A Note on Early Parenting Education for Mothers and Fathers from Minority Communities 20. The Way Forward: Preconception Education and Support

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Joan Ann MacEachen, MD, MPH (Loma Linda University)
Description: This book is an up-to-date, complete resource manual for anyone involved in early parenting education. It reviews current research and recommends teaching techniques for each aspect of early parenting, from building relationships with the unborn, to preparing for labor and birth, to support for parents' mental health and relationship as a couple.
Purpose: In light of recent neuroscience discoveries of the importance of development from conception to two years of age, this book is a timely appraisal of childbirth education. Although no one method of prenatal education has been shown to be more effective, there is a strong belief in the value of parent education shared by the parents themselves as well as health and social care professionals. This book carefully reviews each aspect covered in parenting education and recommends best practices for the educators involved in designing and teaching the information.
Audience: This book is aimed at educators who are working with mothers and fathers transitioning to parenthood. Its analysis and advice on each topic strengthen the confidence, knowledge, and skills of educators. The information is helpful to medical professionals working with new parents and can be used as the basis for further research. The author's long experience as a birth and parenting educator who has turned her attention to researching parents' assessments of their learning needs places her in a unique position to write this manual.
Features: The book begins with an evaluation of the goal of early parenting education from the viewpoint of parents as well as society. It addresses the role of parent education in ameliorating social inequities. It examines the key topics parents want to explore (feeding and diet, behavior management, relationships, emotional well-being), and the qualities of an effective program and educator. It not only addresses topics like stress, labor and delivery, and breastfeeding, but has special sections on young mothers and fathers, same sex couples, and parents in the military and prison. The material is thoughtfully presented with examples of both helpful and unhelpful teaching techniques. Each chapter ends with a summary of key points and practice recommendations. Each topic references specific helpful teaching activities that are included in the appendix.
Assessment: This is a valuable resource that can be easily navigated and used as a handy manual by educators in planning and implementing parenting education sessions.

Doody's Review Service

"This is a book which is long overdue. It is a must-have resource for anyone involved in teaching/facilitating transition to parenting. Written by one of the leading world experts in the field, it serves as both a guide for practice and an academic text with an up-to-date evidence base that addresses a range of different needs in parental terms." – Lorna Davies, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

From the Publisher