Intro: Get Ready to Talk
This is where the goals of the course are shared and when a parent plans the talk - finding the right time and place for a quality one-on-one conversation with his or her child. Parents are encouraged to preview the entire course first, before sitting down with a child.
Step 1: Take the “I already know all this stuff” Kid’s Quiz
This easy and quick re-course quiz for children helps parents and kids see the key issues presented in the course—and illustrates the child’s comprehension of key concepts. Can We Talk? Arizona collects the data on what students know about a particular topic to help inform the learning process.
Step 2: Watch and Discuss the Video
The video is designed as a whimsical conversation starter, addressing key issues related to the particular topic. Our cartoon parents are not designed to be perfect, but with big hearts they try to do the right thing with their kids. The videos and follow up discussion questions have proven to be an effective catalyst for parent-child communication on key health and safety issues. The follow up questions are designed to get people thinking about the issues, potential problems and possible solutions that are right for their family.
Step 3: Use the “Fill-In-The-Talking-Bubble” Activities
The activities have been used very successfully with pre-teens all over the nation. The situations presented in each cartoon activity sheet illustrate problems young people are facing (or will soon face). Each activity can illustrate how people think and speak when faced with problems. There are no right or wrong answers as young people fill in the “thinking” and “speaking” bubbles above the cartoon characters’ heads. The activities provide opportunities for young people to express their point of view, experiences, values, and concerns.
Step 4: Review These Words
The review of key words and definitions will get parents and their children on the same page as they discuss the issues. We include definitions and the way the words are used in everyday conversation.
Step 5: Review Questions and Answers
This step could take five minutes or become a series of long discussions. We have collected some of the most common questions parents have asked since the inception of the program. Our responses to the questions are designed to give parents key information related to health and safety. Again, the goal of reviewing the “talking points” with a child is to generate conversation. We believe that questions are as important as answers—and that answers may change based on a parent’s values. This section ends with providing community resources for families.
Step 6: Discuss Your Family’s Rules
At the heart of Can We Talk? Arizona is the goal of supporting family talks about family rules. Rules represent key protective factors—parent involvement and supervision. Our questions are designed to help a parent discuss with her or his child rules about behaviors—how to treat others and how one should expect to be treated. This step also provides parents with the opportunity to discuss and stress the reasons for family rules, school policy, and the law that keeps families safe.
Step 7: Take the “Kids Quiz” and “Parent Survey”
It’s important to know what a child understands about preventing problems and keeping healthy and safe. The post-course Kid’s Quiz helps parents know how well their child comprehends the issues and, to what degree, has the ability to discuss problems and know where to ask for support.
The Parent Survey helps Can We Talk? Arizona understand how well the course is supporting parents and making a difference in helping families keep informed and feel empowered to seek community support.
For more information about the course design, evaluation tools, and customization of the course series, please call Empowerment Systems. Ask for Kim at Customer Service at 800-1-888-982-2650 or email
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