Last May, our team in Vietnam gathered 30 parents who are regulars at our parent-child workshops, also known as Children's Clubs, to gather their feedback. Our aim: to measure parents' satisfaction and identify areas for improvement in parenting support; but also to understand the changes in families' daily lives and identify any impact on children's development. So, what do parents have to say?
"My child used to get angry very easily. I used to hit him when he misbehaved. Now, during tantrums, I talk to him gently, try to persuade him to do something else, and I can promise him a fun activity. At first, it was difficult, he still screamed a lot. But with time, he hardly ever has a tantrum anymore. I also spend more time playing with him and listen to his opinions instead of ignoring them. He doesn't shout at home any more."
"Before, I usually bought food from outside. Then I started cooking with my children. We've discovered that preparing meals together is fun and rewarding. I feel like I'm getting to know them better and forging deeper bonds with them."
"Since joining the Club, my husband and I spend more time playing with our child than we used to."
"My husband and I are now discussing how to raise our child. We've changed his diet and created a better play area at home."
"The presence of parents with their children strengthens family ties. I have noticed positive changes in my child's development."
"This space [The Kids Club] gives my daughter the opportunity to explore, to be creative, to develop her imagination. She's also learned good hygiene habits, like brushing her teeth. She's very happy here."
"I find that my youngest who participates in the club speaks better and is more sociable than my oldest."
Discussions with the 30 parents revealed that these workshops improve their knowledge of child development. They also become aware of educational practices that differ from what they have always seen or applied.
Parents participate because they see that their children enjoy coming and they notice positive changes. They also notice that, over time, family ties grow stronger. Knowledge and practices spread within the family, creating moments of sharing between parents and between children.
The lessons learned from these focus groups are currently being studied in greater depth by our Monitoring and Evaluation Manager. In 2024, 275 parents took part in these parent-child workshops and parenting support sessions in Vietnam.
