Click here to find the book and audiobook.
Most parents!
P.E.T. skills are equally effective for parents with children of all ages; for step-parents, single parents, foster parents, parents of different cultural backgrounds, grandparents and carers.
Those who feel that they are doing a good job but strive to do better.
Those who see danger signals or who already have problems.
Those with very young children and those with adolescents.
If it is a group course, then in any suitable appropriate venue - eg a school /community space.
Instructors may have access to a space, for which there may need to be a small shared fee.
One or more participants may feel able to offer to host a group in their own home.
The total course length is 24 hours, and this is frequently delivered in it's original format - 8 weekly sessions of 3 hours each. This provides the optimum learning experience - time during sessions to practice skills, then opportunity to try these out at home before the next meeting.
If this schedule is problematic, it is possible to adapt to a different timetable or even to couple coaching.
Likewise, daytime and evening sessions can usually be offered.
The Instructor follows a clear, designated structure, and employs Instructor presentations, demonstrations, workbook exercises, and practice conversations - supported with CD and DVD information when appropriate. Questions and discussion are strongly encouraged.
As a skills based program you will practice your learning within your class to gain confidence in using them in your everyday life
The courses are delivered by people who know and use the Gordon Method and are enthusiastic to pass it on to others. Their knowledge and competence with communication skills ensures their understanding and empathy.
They have all experienced a course as a participant and have satisfactorily completed a specific Instructor Training to become certified.
Click here to find an instructor
Definitely not.
Gordon's philosophy explains why both permissive and authoritarian methods are harmful to children.
P.E.T. show parents a dramatic and effective alternative to these two approaches.
Definitely not.
P.E.T. is an educational experience. P.E.T. Instructors teach specific skills and methods. Parents are not pressured to talk about their family problems. Rather they are coached in new skills that they can take home and put to use immediately to solve their problems in the privacy of their home.
This course is not offered as a substitute for family therapy or counselling.
However, many parents find valuable support in discovering that they are not alone in their parenting dilemmas, and benefit from the varied input that other group members bring.
Yes. The P.E.T. program is self-supporting rather than dependent on government or foundation funds.
Each Instructor has their own scale of charges governed by their circumstances.
Participants receive materials as part of their tuition fee.
We strongly urge that both parents enrol so they can support each other's learning. Where this is not possible, we encourage participants to share their learnings with their partner, and their children.
Single parents can especially benefit from P.E.T. by learning how to better influence their children and get more help and co-operation.
Any age - from toddlers to teens!
Unlike many other parenting programmes, PET focuses on communication skills, not specific behaviours. Parents quickly become aware that all problems and conflicts fall into a very small number of types, and learn effective skills to deal with them, so the age of the child is not a critical factor.
However parents do need to adjust their vocabulary and language level to that of the child - including body language and non-verbal behaviours when appropriate.
Click here to find out how.