Kids’ early years an Incredible adventure

Local organisation Investing in our Youth has been gearing up to launch a new version of the Incredible Years parenting course, designed around children aged one to three years.

Set to be held in Bunbury, Dalyellup and Collie, this age bracket often has parents tearing out their hair, according to Incredible Years project officer Tricia Ward.

“It’s a 13-week program that goes through some of the common issues associated with parenting toddlers,” she said.

“The kids become quite oppositional, they don’t like separating from their parents, they have to go through toilet training and parents sometimes don’t have the support network in place.”

The program will be run out of Carey Park Child and Parent Centre on Fridays, Dalyellup Community Hall and Collie Valley Child and Parent Centre for two hours each week.

The venues have been provided free of charge by the respective governing bodies because the program is considered a need by the Shire of Capel.

“We couldn’t give any financial assistance to help run the program, but we could provide the free venue,” Capel community development officer Donna Sims said.

“A lot of Dalyellup families were accessing the other Incredible Years programs at the Carey Park centre which were running at maximum capacity.”

The basis of Incredible Years has been built on more than 25 years of evidence-based research to help and support parents like Belinda Allen who want to develop their parenting skills to be as good as they can be.

“I have three very active, young children who love to push boundaries,” she said.

“I want to learn how to support them better socially, emotionally and academically and gain more confidence in my role as a parent.”

The program will launch in Dalyellup on February 26, Collie on February 28, and in Bunbury on March 1, with places still available for all venues.