Encouraging Parent Participation in a Group
Practical Tips for Handling Silence and Creating Connections
When learning group facilitation skills practitioners often ask: “What if nobody responds when I ask a question?”
It’s normal for parents to take some time to open up and share their thoughts and experiences, especially in group settings. This doesn’t mean they have nothing to say! It just means they may need a bit more support to feel comfortable speaking up. As a facilitator, your role is to create an environment where parents feel safe, respected, and connected. Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Before the programme starts, take time to meet with each parent one-on-one. This is an opportunity to get to know the parents, understand their goals, and start building rapport. It’s also a chance to lay the foundation for open communication during group sessions.
- Early on, establish a group agreement, setting expectations for how the group will work together, support one another, and respect differing opinions and viewpoints. This can ease concerns around judgment and confidentiality, making parents more comfortable and more likely to contribute.
- Use facilitation techniques from your Parents Plus training:
- Try a group round where each parent shares their thoughts.
- Use breakout rooms or small groups which are more comfortable for some parents.
- Invite specific parents to contribute by using their name, e.g., “What are your thoughts on this, Lisa?”
- Use the chat function for online sessions to give everyone a chance to share without speaking out loud.
- Tune in to parents and pay attention to feedback forms—are parents feeling supported? Are they making progress? If needed, follow up between sessions.
While there’s lots we can do to support parents’ participation, it’s also important to remember that some parents will prefer to speak less, and that’s okay. As Parents Plus facilitators we can appreciate that respecting their comfort level is part of good facilitation. Finally, don’t be afraid of silence – it often gives parents the time they need to gather their thoughts before responding. A little silence is absolutely fine!
Karin Todd is a Parents Plus trainer and supervisor and is an experienced facilitator of our evidence-based programmes. Her professional background includes youth and community work, service management and therapeutic family work. Karin has a special interest in adolescent psychotherapy and in the family experience of parental separation and loss. She currently works in a community-based setting as a family support practitioner.
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