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| Free parenting classes trial to run in England | Free parenting classes trial to run in England |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter | By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter |
| Free parenting classes are to be trialled for those with children under the age of five in three areas of England, children's minister Sarah Teather has said. | Free parenting classes are to be trialled for those with children under the age of five in three areas of England, children's minister Sarah Teather has said. |
| The classes will stress the importance of discipline and giving children appropriate boundaries. | The classes will stress the importance of discipline and giving children appropriate boundaries. |
| Some 50,000 mothers and fathers will be offered vouchers to pay for classes from experts in the trial areas. | Some 50,000 mothers and fathers will be offered vouchers to pay for classes from experts in the trial areas. |
| Ms Teather said she wanted to get rid of the stigma over asking for help. | Ms Teather said she wanted to get rid of the stigma over asking for help. |
| "Parenting classes aren't just for struggling families," she said. | "Parenting classes aren't just for struggling families," she said. |
| "All parents should know it's OK to ask for extra support and guidance when they need it - just as they do when they attend ante-natal classes before their child is born." | "All parents should know it's OK to ask for extra support and guidance when they need it - just as they do when they attend ante-natal classes before their child is born." |
| 'Firm and fair' | 'Firm and fair' |
| The classes, provided by those with a proven track record, are likely to cover areas such as promoting positive behaviour, managing conflict and strengthening positive relationships in the family, as well as the importance of parents working as a team. | The classes, provided by those with a proven track record, are likely to cover areas such as promoting positive behaviour, managing conflict and strengthening positive relationships in the family, as well as the importance of parents working as a team. |
| There will also be a stress on discipline, with firm, fair and consistent approaches encouraged and the importance of boundaries being set out for children. | There will also be a stress on discipline, with firm, fair and consistent approaches encouraged and the importance of boundaries being set out for children. |
| And there will be advice on appropriate play for children's age and development. | And there will be advice on appropriate play for children's age and development. |
| The trial of classes will start in summer 2012 in Middlesborough, High Peak, Derbyshire, and Camden, and run for two years. The impact will be tracked and it is hoped the results will lead a greater number of parents to seek help and advice themselves. | The trial of classes will start in summer 2012 in Middlesborough, High Peak, Derbyshire, and Camden, and run for two years. The impact will be tracked and it is hoped the results will lead a greater number of parents to seek help and advice themselves. |
| The government says it is still working on the details but it is likely that the vouchers will be distributed through various routes. | The government says it is still working on the details but it is likely that the vouchers will be distributed through various routes. |
| Ms Teather added that there was overwhelming evidence that a child's development in the first five years' of their life is the single biggest factor influencing their future life chances, health and education attainment. | Ms Teather added that there was overwhelming evidence that a child's development in the first five years' of their life is the single biggest factor influencing their future life chances, health and education attainment. |
| "Armed with all this evidence, it is the government's moral and social duty to make sure we support all parents at this critical time. | "Armed with all this evidence, it is the government's moral and social duty to make sure we support all parents at this critical time. |
| "Parenting has to be one of the toughest jobs and it doesn't come with a rule book." | "Parenting has to be one of the toughest jobs and it doesn't come with a rule book." |
| Ms Teather also promised to ensure that families come first across the government's policies. | Ms Teather also promised to ensure that families come first across the government's policies. |
| She added: "The prime minister talked this summer about a 'family test' and we are working across government to make it a reality. | She added: "The prime minister talked this summer about a 'family test' and we are working across government to make it a reality. |
| "We want not only to scrutinise the full impact of all our policies on families' lives but also to tap into the everyday reality of our lives." | "We want not only to scrutinise the full impact of all our policies on families' lives but also to tap into the everyday reality of our lives." |
| Do you live in one of the trial areas? What do you think about parenting classes for people with children under five? Send us your comments using the form below: |