Introduction to Parent-Child Interaction

Course description

Parent-child relationships are among the most complex and important relationships in life, and is the foundation for a child’s upbringing, development and identity formation. Furthermore, the parent- child
relationship is not only foundational to healthy child development and family functioning, but is a cornerstone of individual outcomes and societal development.
This course provides an exploration of understanding children and families, parenting styles and practices, the importance of healthy parent-child relationships and discovers the perceived and often real circumstances of how family members interact with one another across the life course.

Course details

Week 1: Foundations of Parent-Child Interaction
• Quizzes: Multiple-choice and true/false questions to assess understanding of key concepts.
• Reflections: Short journal prompts on participants’ experiences and observations of parent-child relationships.
• Discussion: Sharing examples of positive parent-child interactions.

Week 2: Parent-Child Dynamics Across the Life Course
• Scenario-Based Activities: Apply knowledge to common challenges in different child
development stages.
• Matching Exercises: Link developmental stages to typical parent-child challenges.
• Mini Quizzes: Test understanding of evolving parent-child dynamics.

Week 3: Real and Perceived Challenges in Family Interaction
• Reflections: Identify challenges affecting family interaction in real-life or community contexts.
• Scenario-Based Quizzes: Propose evidence-based positive strategies for addressing challenges
such as parental disconnection or communication barriers.
• Discussion: Share examples of challenges and potential solutions.

Week 4: Strengthening Parent-Child Relationships
• Application Quizzes / Scenario Activities: Practice strategies to enhance parent-child
interactions.
• Reflections: Identify actionable strategies to strengthen relationships.
• Summative Assessment: Case study analysis and reflective journal to demonstrate
understanding and application of course content.

Final assessment: Case study analysis and reflection journal.

Statement of purpose

The purpose of this short course is to equip participants with foundational knowledge and practical insight into the nature, significance, and dynamics of the parent-child relationship. Designed for a diverse range of individuals working with or caring for children and families—including parents, caregivers, early childhood practitioners, educators, lay counselors, faith-based workers, and community-based professionals, the course offers an interdisciplinary exploration of how parent-child interactions shape development, identity, and relational wellbeing across the life course.

Grounded in evidence-based theory and real-world application, the course addresses key areas such as parenting styles and practices, child development, attachment, communication, and the impact of socio-cultural and contextual factors. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of the relational environment within families, support the promotion of nurturing and responsive parenting, and contribute to the broader goals of family strengthening, early childhood wellbeing, and social cohesion.

Course outcomes

On completion of this course participants should be able to:

• Explain key concepts in the parent-child relationship.
• Identify common parenting styles and their implications.
• Discuss the importance of secure attachment and communication.
• Explain how the parent-child dynamic evolves across the life course.
• Reflect on real and perceived challenges affecting family interaction.
• Apply relationship-strengthening strategies to improve parent-child relationships.

Entry level requirements

As a non-credit bearing programme, the course is open to all interested individuals and does not require prior formal education or qualifications. This course welcomes learners with relevant experience or prior learning, in line with UWC’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Participants should have functional English literacy and access to a digital device with internet connectivity to fully engage with the online course materials and activities.

To help participants succeed, we recommend that participants:

• Are comfortable reading and writing in English
• Have a general understanding of families and parenting (either through work, study, or life
experience)
• Can use email and basic online tools, since this is an online course
• Are open to reflecting critically on family life, culture, and relationships.

Planned course dates

29 June 2026 - 25 July 2026 (4 weeks)
Applications are open. Application deadline: 24 June 2026

Assessment criteria

The understanding of the participants will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Assessment Submission:
• Completes the weekly online formative quizzes.
• Completes the end-of-course summative assessment which will include a case study analysis
and final reflection journal
• Achieves a minimum of 65% in the summative assessment to qualify for a Certificate of
Competence.
• They will obtain a Certificate of Attendance should they complete at least 80% of the online
sessions, activities and quizzes, but do not complete the summative assessment or obtain a
minimum of 65% in the summative assessment.

Assessment methods

To encourage participant engagement, the course will include online activities and weekly quizzes around key concepts of the topics as well as a final summative assessment. The formative activities will not be formally marked; instead, they are intended to help participants reflect on, and engage with the course content. Completing at least 80% of these activities will qualify participants for a Certificate of Attendance should they not complete the summative assessment.

At the end of the course, participants will complete a summative assessment, which may consist of a case study analysis and the submission of a reflective journal. A minimum of 65% is required in the summative assessment in order to obtain a Certificate of Competence.

Teaching & learning strategies

This short course is delivered online and asynchronously, allowing participants to engage with content at their own pace within a structured four-week schedule. The facilitator will set up a WhatsApp group or other online discussion forum where students will be able to support each other through the course and where they can interact and discuss various related topics and share their views on it. This will help to build a sense of a learning community for a wide range of learners. The facilitator will interact with the participants via this WhatsApp group at the beginning of each week to encourage participation and completion of tasks. The learning approach is interactive, reflective, and practice-oriented to ensure relevance and accessibility.

Key strategies include:

• Narrated presentations and short videos by the facilitators.
To introduce and explain key concepts in an accessible and engaging format.

• Guided readings and resource materials
Curated readings, infographics, and case studies that reinforce core content and broaden
understanding.

• Practical activities and case-based scenarios
Participants apply learning to real-life family situations to deepen comprehension and foster
practical insight.

• Reflective exercises
Personal reflection prompts to encourage critical thinking and the integration of new
knowledge into participants’ own contexts.

• Asynchronous online delivery
Enables self-paced, flexible learning accessible across geographic and time boundaries.

• Scaffolded weekly modules
Structured to build knowledge progressively from foundational concepts to applied practice.

• Reflective practice
Encourages personal insight through guided journaling, observation, and self-assessment.

• Case-based learning
Uses real-world scenarios to analyse parenting dynamics and relational challenges

• Peer and community relevance
Focuses on contextually relevant examples that resonate with participants’ diverse
experiences.

• Summative end-of-course assessment.

Course material & equipment

All course materials will be provided online and are accessible via the course platform. These
include:
• Pre-recorded video lectures and narrated presentations
• Downloadable reading packs, worksheets, and case studies
• Weekly activity guides and reflection prompts
• End-of-course assessment instructions and templates

To successfully complete the course, participants will need the following minimum equipment and
materials:
• A desktop or laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone
• Reliable internet access to stream video content and download/upload documents
• A PDF reader (e.g., Adobe Acrobat) for viewing course materials
• Word processing software (e.g., MS Word or Google Docs) to complete written tasks
• Email access for receiving updates or support (if needed)
• A quiet space for viewing videos and completing reflective exercises

Optional: Participants may benefit from having a notebook or journal for personal reflections during the course.

Modes of delivery

This short course is offered fully online through an asynchronous learning model. There will be two online (google Meet) sessions held with participants – one at the beginning of the course and the other in the last (4th) week of the course.

The course is hosted on a digital learning platform and includes:
• Pre-recorded presentations and short video inputs by the facilitator
• Downloadable reading materials and activity sheets
• Interactive tasks and self-assessments
• A final online assessment