For Parent Group leaders and parents, we have conversation card games that can be a fun way to support and enhance the parenting programs.
Parents Conversation Cards: Incredible Parents Ask Each Other
This card game can be used to facilitate discussion about parenting strategies and goals. It can be played with Incredible Years parent groups or with friends, group buddies, or between partners.
During parenting groups, group leaders can introduce the Incredible Parents Conversation Cards mid-way through the program and then play it again on the last night as part of the final session celebration. The card game can also be given to parents as a prize to take home.
Half of the Incredible Parents Conversation Cards have questions focusing on the foundational part of the Incredible Years Parenting Pyramid – play, coaching, praise, and encouragement – and the other half has questions about handling misbehavior.
Parents take turns asking each other questions such as: “how do you find time to schedule some personal time for yourself?”, “what is the most fun thing you do with your child?”, “what is one way you used the attention principle successfully?”, and “what are two behaviors you look for when doing Incredible Years social coaching?”
Examples of questions from the section on handling misbehavior include: “how do you stay calm when using the ignoring strategy?”, “what are two good consequences for 5-6 year olds?”, and “what is one principle you have learned in Incredible Years that you have used successfully?”
Kids and Parents Conversation Cards
For parents of school age children aged 8 and older, we have Incredible Years Kids and Parents Conversation cards. This fun conversation game includes two card decks, one used by the child and the other used by parents. The adult and child take turns asking a question while the other answers. Example parent deck questions include, “what do you like to do best with me?”, “what are two important household rules?”, “what is the best way I can help with your homework?”, “what do you say to yourself to stay calm?”, “what is the hardest part about being a kid?”, “what would be the menu of your ultimate birthday dinner?” Example child deck questions include, “what can I do to earn a reward?”, “is it ever okay to tell a lie?”, “what is the story behind my name?”, “what do you like to do best with me?”, “what was I like as a preschooler?”, “when do you think I can baby-sit?”, “are there any projects we can work on together?”
Watch a video clip of game play:
Please visit our website to learn more about our Incredible Years Conversation cards!