This article describes the development of the Parents Plus Early Years Programme
(PPEY): a video-based early intervention for parents of pre-school children with
behavioural and developmental difficulties. PPEY combines individual
parent-child sessions using video feedback with parenting group sessions using
video-based teaching over a 12-week period. As well as detailing the research
basis, theory and practice of the PPEY, the article describes the results of an
initial study of 30 children, with a range of conduct, attention and
developmental problems whose parents completed the programme. Results showed a
significant drop in conduct problems and hyperactivity as measured by the
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, decreased parental stress as measured
by Parent Stress Scale, and significant gains towards parent-defined goals. In
addition, before and after video observation of parent-child interaction showed
an increase in positive parent-child attention and a decrease in parent-child
instructions, as measured by independent observers. Gains were maintained at
5-month follow-up. The article also includes some initial results of a follow-up
qualitative evaluation of parents’ experience after attending the programme.