Fostering parental awareness through reflective dialogue

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore how Reflective Dialogue Parent Education Design (RDPED) supports parents in their parenting role. RDPED is an approach intended to promote parent development and strengthen parent-child interaction. Data was collected from seven parents who participated in a parent education course in Iceland using RDPED, with interviews and written reflections. Thematic analysis suggested enhanced parental self-awareness, including more self-efficacy, where parents recognized both what they were doing well and what they wanted to do differently. Parents also reported enhanced parental awareness of the child’s perspective, describing a better understanding of their child’s behavior, feelings, autonomy, and goals when establishing limits. These findings suggest that RDPED may provide a promising approach to supporting parents. The findings offer a valuable contribution to research in the field of parent education with potential practical relevance for those working with parents, ultimately supporting them in their parenting journey.