Local parents are taking the lead in advancing their children’s success by leading free courses to help improve family communication and discipline.

The Common Sense Parenting (CSP) course, developed by Boys Town in Nebraska, gives parents hands-on skills to provide a positive, structured environment at home – which translates into better behavior in their children’s classrooms. During the six-week course, parents learn how to communicate effectively with their children, avoid power struggles, give positive attention and praise, control their emotions, and balance discipline with affection.

This summer, nine parents of Windham Public Schools students graduated from the first CSP course led entirely by parents who were themselves trained in the program. CSP was first introduced to Windham in fall 2009 by a partnership that included the Windham Public Schools, Windham Region United Way, and The Village for Families & Children, Inc. More than 40 parents have now completed the basic parenting course, and 11 parents have been trained to teach the course.

Windham Region United Way has supported CSP in Windham as part of its ongoing work to ensure success for local children in school and in life. Skills learned through the course are proven to decrease children’s problem behavior, improve parent and family satisfaction, and build strong, healthy relationships – all of which increase children’s chances for school success.

“Common Sense Parenting has been a tremendous asset in the Windham community,” said Jose Aponte, vice chair of the Windham Region United Way advisory board and a member of Windham’s Parent Engagement Advisory Team. “Its purpose to build and strengthen healthy family relationships has been evident through conversations with recent graduates. Above all, the ability for graduates of the program to become trainers allows this initiative to be a self-sustaining program for a long period of time.”

Now that local parents have embraced CSP, Windham’s Parent Engagement Advisory Team is managing enrollment and planning for the course with logistical support from Windham Region United Way. Two classes will be offered this fall: one for English speakers and one for Spanish speakers.

To learn more about Common Sense Parenting or to sign up for classes, call (860) 465-2595.