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Table 1 Summary of the content of the group meetings in Little ACF

From: Little All Children in Focus (Little ACF), evaluation of a parental support program for parents of children aged 1–2 years: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Meeting 1

Children are different

The content of the first meeting deals with children’s innate temperament, how it can affect parenting, and how parents can strengthen self-esteem and security in their children.

The meeting starts with a welcome session where participants present themselves and are provided with some practical information. The group leaders introduce Little ACF, explain the goal with the meetings and present the content of the current meeting. The themes for the first meeting are (1) temperament, (2) sensitive parenting, and (3) putting words to the child’s feelings. Theoretical elements are alternated with specifically designed illustrations, role plays, and group discussions. The meeting ends with an introduction to the example to try out at home that focuses on putting words to the child’s feelings. The printed material is distributed to the parents

Meeting 2

Being together

The content of the second meeting focuses on infant development and how parents can regulate infant’s emotional expressions.

The second meeting starts with the group leaders introducing the content of the meeting and a discussion about examples tested at the home. The themes of the second meeting are (1) autonomy, curiosity, and emotional expression; (2) challenging situations, (3) make everyday work; and (4) validate, explain, repeat, and distract. Theoretical elements are alternated with illustrations and group discussions. The meeting ends with an introduction to the example to try out at home that focuses on validation, explain, repeat, and distraction. The printed material is then distributed

Meeting 3

Regulation of parental emotions

The content of the third meeting focuses on challenging parental feelings and how parents can regulate their own emotions and maintain sensitive parenting.

The third meeting starts with an introduction to the topics and a follow-up on examples tested at home. The themes of the third meeting are (1) emotions are contagious, (2) stress, (3) the emotional curve, and (4) stop-think-act. Theoretical elements are alternated with illustrations and group discussion. The meeting ends with the introduction to the final home exercise focusing on testing the strategy Stop-think-act. The printed material is thereafter distributed

Meeting 4

Secure relations

The last meeting focuses on the importance of secure relations for both parents and children, about separations, and how parents can help the child feel safe with other significant adults.

The fourth meeting starts with the day’s topics and a follow-up on what has been tested at home. The themes of the fourth meeting are thereafter (1) a network of secure relations, (2) being away from each other, (3) catching the golden moments, and (4) closure. Theoretical elements are alternated with illustrations and group discussions. The meeting ends with group leaders informing about other available support to parents in their local community. Parents are provided the printed material including a list of available parental support