Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline

As soon as young children are introduced to rules and start to learn to obey to those rules, it can be difficult for parents to remain sensitive when their children try to bend or break those rules. The short-term (preventive) VIPP-SD intervention aims at enhancing parental sensitivity in interaction with their children, as well as during times when children have to learn to get acquainted with rules and limits (sensitive discipline). By making video recordings of diverse parent-child interactions in everyday (play)situations, and discussing these recordings, the caregiver and certified intervener work together on:

1. Increasing the observational skills of caregivers.
2. Increasing caregivers’ knowledge about the upbringing and development of young children.
3. Increasing the capacity of caregivers to empathize with their children.
4. Making the caregiving behaviour more effective by using sensitive responsiveness and sensitive discipline.

The VIPP-SD program is carried out at the family’s home and consists of 7 visits (sessions) of approximately 2 hours each. Caregivers of children between 1 and 6 years old learn to see the world through the eyes of their child. They are provided with guidance regarding sensitive parenting behaviour, setting boundaries and regulating unruly or disobedient behaviour of the child.

The intervention is aimed at improving the caregiver-child relationship and to prevent or reduce behaviour problems in children. For parents of infants between 6 and 12 months old, the program can be used without the ‘Sensitive Discipline’ component.