PRE-CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE PROGRAM

The first step of Group Facilitator certification is to become familiar with The Parent's Toolshop and its teachings. Group Facilitator applicants must meet this requirement before they attend a Group Facilitator certification training, where they will learn how to teach The Parent's Toolshop to others. This study guide helps Group Facilitator applicants learn and remember the key points that are critical to understanding, using, and teaching the tools in The Parent's Toolshop.

All Group Facilitator applicants must complete this study guide before Group Facilitator training and certification.

The Study Guide Process: After ordering a Group Facilitator Application Kit, you will receive a folder that contains the PTLeader Standards & Practices Manual, the entire study guide on a diskette (in three different software formats). We'll assign a liaison for you from the PTLeader Standards & Practices Committee who will guide you throughout the study guide process. He/she will review each part, until you have completed all four parts. You will also complete a parenting skill assessment with Part IV, which you will return with your final materials. If you score 9+ (out of 11 points) on the parenting skill assessment and have witnessed 6 hours of Toolshop programming (in person or by video), you are eligible to attend the Group Facilitator certification training.

Pre-certification applicants have six months in which to finish the study guide. This deadline is based on the date you purchased your applicant kit, but you can finish earlier if you're disciplined! If you need longer than six months, you can apply/pay for a $50 for an extension of the liaison's assignment.

To start the correspondence study process, purchase the Pre-certification Study Guide Kit ($50) by phone, fax, mail or by using our on-line store (www.ParentsToolshop.com).

To give you an idea of what the correspondence study guide is like, the next page is a sampling of different types of questions used in the study guide. If you have any questions about the study process or any question about Group Facilitator certification, please contact our office (number is above).

PARENT'S TOOLSHOP CONSULTING
PRE-CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE

(Samples from Various Parts)

Name: _________________________________________________ Date: ________________

Directions: As you read each chapter of The Parent's Toolshop, complete the section of the study guide that corresponds to that chapter. The roman numerals correspond with the chapters in which you will find the answers to the questions. (For example, Section I is a review of Chapter 1). Try to answer the questions without looking at the book. Then, if you need to, look up the answers in the chapter. Wherever you see "at least" in the directions, you can name more than the required minimum number of answers. When you have completed the practice exercises and study guide for Part I, send it (and your GF application, if you haven't already) to your liaison. You can mail or fax printed answers. If you type answers on the diskette files, save the file with your name and the roman numeral of the study guide part it contains (for example, "SmithIII.doc") and return as an e-mail attachment. While your liaison grades this section, you can work on Part II. Submit each section (Part) separately as you complete it. Sometime before you attend the certification training, you also need to witness six hours of Parent's Toolshop programming (in person or by video).

CONTENT QUESTIONS (FROM VARIOUS CHAPTERS)

1. What are the six (6) common mistakes parents make and/or the six most common reasons effective parenting tools might not work. (Hint: the hammer and nail analogy)

2. Name and/or draw the three-step problem-solving process everyone goes through and which steps of F-A-X Listening correspond to each step:

3. List the five factors that can result in PU behavior. Give an example of a PU behavior for each.

4. Define or explain the following discipline tools:

a. Natural consequences (what are they and when are they not appropriate to use):

b. Progressive restrictions:

c. Regressive restrictions:

d. Describe an effective time-out. Include all four Rs, appropriate locations and activities.

PRACTICE EXERCISES (FROM VARIOUS CHAPTERS)

1. You ask Susie, a five-year-old, to clear the table and fill the dishwasher. She breaks two glasses, one plate and the partridge in the pear tree sugar bowl. What kind of problem is this? ___ Why?

2. Choose a task you'd like to teach a child (please state the age of the child) and describe how you would teach that task.

3. Your teenager wants to be part of the "popular" crowd, but they don't give her the time of day. She's willing to do whatever she has to do or become whatever she has to become to be accepted by this group.

4. Complete an Anger Log using a real-life situation you've experienced.