How to Speak So Children Listen: A Community Approach to Parenting Education

Parenting is not just a responsibility—it is a continuous journey of learning. In response to growing community interest in effective communication within families, the “Solutions to Important Problems Around the Coffee Table” project organized a seminar on positive parenting in Khachpar and nearby villages.

The session, led by Anush Hakobyan, director of the Hayanist village kindergarten, focused on the theme “How to speak so that children listen, and how to listen so that children speak.” Drawing from her expertise in early childhood education, Anush guided parents through the principles of constructive dialogue, emotional responsiveness, and behavioral understanding.

Participants engaged in interactive role-play exercises, allowing them to internalize techniques for nurturing open, respectful, and supportive communication at home. These tools empower parents to respond thoughtfully to their children’s needs, helping create emotionally healthy family environments.

Rooted in the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, the initiative drew on the existing strengths of local educators and parent networks to meet a clearly expressed community need. It also supports Sustainable Development Goals including SDG 4: Quality Education – by promoting lifelong learning for parents, SDG 5: Gender Equality – by equipping both mothers and fathers with equal parenting knowledge, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – by strengthening family units and social cohesion.

The seminar was part of a broader initiative developed and implemented by an ArmeniaCorps participant from Khachpar village, made possible through the Cultural Vistas Muskie Alumni Small Grants Program under the ArmeniaCorps Development Initiative.