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Parenting during the past few years has certainly been a challenge. Uncertain school schedules, alternative learning, home-based work life, and a whole lot of togetherness during COVID-19 have undoubtedly changed the dynamics of our homes in one way or another. The life and schedule we were used to suddenly changed
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without a manual to tell us the itinerary or how the story unfolds. Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) is an approach developed by Karyn Purvis, Ph.D. and David Cross, Ph.D. from
By Michelle Houk
TCU Institute of Child Development. TBRI strategies encourage parents to Connect, Empower, and then Correct. These connecting
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principles help parents to focus on the child’s need for interactions
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through awareness and lively engagement.
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Connecting with your child includes engagement strategies that
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and allows for learning to happen. This strategy includes getting
help them develop a sense of trust with the parent, disarm fear, down to your child’s eye level when talking to them, having a soft
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tone, being aware of body language and facial expressions, and giving them your full attention. During this time, you are given the
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opportunity to really hear and listen to the needs of your child. Also, being mindful of what is in the environment that may be impacting
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their reaction, thinking about how you are presenting yourself to
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your child, and thinking about what history you are bringing to the situation when your child is not behaving in a way that you desire will help you manage your responses to the behavior.
