Relationships Learning Opportunities
Families and Divorce Program Overview
Background
In the U.S., approximately one million children
experience parental divorce each year and one-third of
children will live in a stepfamily before they reach age
18. About one-third of family households are headed by a
single-parent. These statistics indicate that teachers
and other professionals who work with children will have
contact with many children living in diverse family
forms and who have experienced difficult family
transitions. Teachers can be an important source of
support for children during family transitions. In order
to provide this support, teachers and other
professionals need to understand how divorce and
remarriage affect children and what they can do to help.
A survey of 72 schools in Missouri demonstrated that 82%
perceived a need for in-service training on working with
children whose parents have divorced. Families and
Divorce: A Program for Professionals was developed in
response to this need.
Objectives
Participants will:
- Increase familiarity with research-based information on the occurrence, dynamics, and effects of divorce.
- Increase understanding of children’s responses to divorce.
- Gain strategies and resources for working in partnership with families to support children through family transitions.
Target Audiences
- Professionals (e.g., teachers, childcare providers, school counselors, administrators) working with preschool and elementary school-age children.
- Family and Consumer Science (FACS) Teachers
The Families and Divorce program was originally designed for teachers working with young children. However, the program can be adapted for use with FACS classes. Supplemental materials for secondary teachers have been added, including an activity booklet with activities for teaching secondary students about the dynamics of divorce and remarriage and a book/resource list for adolescents.
Curriculum Outline
Families and Divorce: A Program for Professionals
includes material for two sessions. A variety of
teaching methods are used to promote active learning,
including interactive exercises (e.g., quiz, game,
etc.), small group activities, case study, and
discussion.
The following topics are covered:
Session I:
- Facts about Families and Divorce
- Children's Developmental Responses to Divorce
- Activities Teachers Can Use to Support Children Experiencing Family Transitions
Session II:
- Divorce and Children's School Performance
- Supporting Single-Parent Households
- Remarriage and Stepfamily Dynamics
Session I can be presented as a stand-alone two-hour
session. This is how the program has most often been
used. For a more in-depth program, Session II can be
added as a second session.
Evaluation:
During the period 2002-2004, Families and Divorce has
been presented to over 400 participants at 15 sites in
Missouri. Audiences have included: pre-K-3rd grade
teachers, childcare providers, school personnel, Head
Start staff, 4-H staff, mediators, social service agency
personnel, nurses, and FACS teachers. A post-test with
13 items assessing program satisfaction, learning
outcomes, and participants’ comments has been used for
program evaluation. A pre-test has been added to the
program materials, but pre-test data have not been
collected yet.
On the post-test, participants report high levels of
program satisfaction and positive learner outcomes. The
average ratings for selected items, which are rated on a
5-point scale (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly
agree), are:
- Overall, the program was worthwhile. Average rating = 4.35
- This program helped me to better understand the needs and reactions of children of various ages to divorce. Average rating = 4.20
- This program offered helpful suggestions for providing support to children who have experienced parental divorce. Average rating = 4.23
- I plan to use at least one suggestion from this program for providing support to children who have experienced parental divorce. Average rating = 4.21
The following quotes provide additional evidence of
participant satisfaction and program effectiveness:
- “The information on children's reactions to divorce at different ages was especially helpful.”
- “The program provided a great avenue for teaching resources.”
- “The handouts have great information I can share with families.”
- “[The program is] very much needed, as we deal with all types of families.”
References:
Bumpass, L., Raley, R.K., & Sweet, J. A. (1995). The
changing character or stepfamilies: Implications of
cohabitation and nonmarital childbearing. Demography,
32, 425-436.
Fields, J. & Casper, L.M. 2001.
America’s Families and Living Arrangements: March 2000.
Current Population Reports, P20-537. U.S. Census Bureau,
Washington, D.C.
U.S. Bureau of the Census. (1999). Statistical abstract of the United States: 1999. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
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Last update: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
