Human Development

National Extension Parent Education Model

Many of the parenting education programs conducted by Purdue Extension are guided by the critical parenting practices identified in the National Extension Parent Education Model (NEPEM). The model is the result of a collaborative process among four state Extension specialists (including one from Indiana) along with consultation with other Extension professionals from across the nation.

NEPEM is not a curriculum, but it can help guide professionals in the use and creation of curriculum packages by addressing these parenting behaviors: care for self, understand, guide, nurture, motivate, and advocate. NEPEM can provide support to professionals wishing to advocate for parenting education efforts.

The one-page model lists the crucial practices and can be used as a handout.

The final report describes the development of the model, the research base that informed its creation, and suggested methods for using it.