5 Pillars of Parenting (4–11 Years) is a targeted-selected intervention, aimed at Muslim parents with a child between the ages of 4 and 11 years. It is delivered in eight weekly sessions by a lead and co-practitioner to groups of 10 to 14 parents. In these sessions, parents learn how to communicate more effectively with their child, set appropriate boundaries, encourage positive child behaviour, and improve the parent–child relationship.
The information above is as offered/supported by the intervention provider.
0 to 15 years old
Group
The 5 Pillars of Parenting (4–11 Years) is a targeted-selected intervention, aimed at Muslim parents with children aged 4 to 11 years. Delivered over eight weekly sessions of two hours each, the intervention is led by a lead practitioner and co-practitioner in group settings of 10 to 14 families. Participants must complete a minimum of five sessions to benefit fully; if two consecutive sessions are missed, they may need to repeat the intervention unless they compensate for the missed sessions through one-on-one sessions with an accredited trainer.
During the sessions, parents learn effective communication strategies, techniques for managing child behaviour, setting appropriate boundaries, and fostering positive parent–child relationships. The intervention combines teachings from evidence-based psychological models, such as behavioural, social learning, and family systems theories, with an Islamic framework tailored to meet the needs of Muslim families. This unique integration makes the intervention culturally and religiously relevant.
Learning methods include instruction, role-play, videos, group discussions, and homework tasks designed to reinforce the skills and concepts taught in each session. Parents practise techniques like coaching, appropriate parenting styles, and stress management to improve their parenting outcomes.
The intervention is structured around the 5 Pillars of Parenting, which are:
By addressing these pillars, the intervention aims to equip parents with the tools and confidence needed to create a supportive and nurturing family environment.
4 to 11 years
Muslim parents with children aged 4 to 11 years, particularly those seeking culturally and religiously tailored support to improve their parenting practices.
Disclaimer: The information in this section is as offered/supported by the intervention provider.
Science-based assumption
Challenging child behaviours during preschool and primary school increase the risk of behavioural problems persisting into adolescence.
Science-based assumption
Effective parenting behaviours help child to regulate their own behaviour and reduce the risk of child behavioural problems persisting
Ineffective parenting strategies can increase the risk of child behavioural problems persisting over time.
Science-based assumption
Muslim families benefit from advice about effective parenting practices.
Intervention
Parents learn how the principles of the Quran support effective parenting practice:
To communicate effectively with their child
To encourage positive child behaviour
To manage challenging child behaviour.
Short-term
Parents implement effective parenting strategies in the home
Parents confidence increases and parents experience less stress
Parent–child interaction improves.
Medium-term
Children’s behaviour improves
Children have better problem-solving skills.
Long-term
Children are at less risk of antisocial behaviour in adolescence
Children are more likely to engage positively with others
Children are better prepared for success in school.
Muslim parents with a child aged 4 to 11 years.
5 Pillars of Parenting (4–11 Years) is delivered in eight weekly sessions of two hours’ duration each by a lead practitioner and co-practitioner, to groups of 10 to 14 families.
Note: participants need to complete a minimum of five (out of eight) sessions. If participants miss two consecutive sessions, they will be asked to repeat the intervention, unless they are able to compensate for the missed sessions on a 1:1 basis with an accredited trainer.
Throughout the intervention, parents are taught knowledge and skills from evidence-based psychological models, including behavioural, social learning, and family systems theories. These teachings are combined within an Islamic framework and so are suited for Muslim families. Parents learn effective strategies, appropriate parenting styles, and coaching techniques for communicating with their child, managing negative child behaviour and reducing parental stress.
Learning takes place through instruction, role-play, videos, and group discussions. Parents are also given homework tasks to consolidate and practise the techniques and concepts taught in the individual sessions.
The 5 Pillars of Parenting that are addressed simultaneously over the course of the eight weeks are:
Positive relationships: working towards strengthening family bonds to create meaningful and permanent positive relationships.
The practitioners who deliver this intervention are one lead practitioner with a qualification in psychology or a related profession, and a co-practitioner with experience in a helping profession. It is also expected that practitioners they will have good knowledge of the Islamic faith and culture, as well as experience of working with Muslim families.
The practitioners have four days of accredited intervention training. As part of their training, practitioners must also deliver their first intervention alongside an experienced and licensed trainer. Booster training of practitioners is recommended/not required.
It is recommended that practitioners are supervised for two hours per full intervention by one host-agency supervisor, with 32 hours of intervention training.
It is also recommended that practitioners are supervised for two hours per full intervention by one clinical supervisor, with 50 to 60 hours of intervention training.
Intervention fidelity is maintained through the following processes:
Contact person: Kathleen Roche-Nagi
Organisation: Approachable Parenting
Email address: info@approachableparenting.org.uk
Website: www.approachableparenting.org
*Please note that this information may not be up to date. In this case, please visit the listed intervention website for up to date contact details.
5 Pillars of Parenting (4–11 years) most rigorous evidence comes from a pre–post study which was conducted in the United Kingdom consistent with Foundations’ Level 2 evidence strength criteria.
This study identified statistically significant improvements in 5 Pillars of Parenting parents’ reports of their child’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and prosocial behaviour. It also identified statistically significant improvements in parent reports of their own behaviour. There was no comparison group, however.
5 Pillars of Parenting has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome, but we cannot be confident that the intervention caused the improvement.
| Identified in search | 2 |
| Studies reviewed | 1 |
| Meeting the L2 threshold | 1 |
| Meeting the L3 threshold | 0 |
| Contributing to the L4 threshold | 0 |
| Ineligible | 1 |
| Study design | Pre–post study |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sample characteristics | 160 parents from the West Midlands with a child aged between 0 and 15 years. |
| Race, ethnicities, and nationalities |
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| Population risk factors | 8.7% of parents had no formal education or primary school education only. |
| Timing |
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| Child outcomes |
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| Other outcomes |
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| Study rating | 2 |
| Citations | Approachable Parenting (2017) Evaluating the impact of the 5 Pillars of Parenting 4-11 Years Programme. |
The following studies were identified for this intervention but did not count towards the intervention’s overall evidence rating. An intervention receives the same rating as its most robust study or studies.
Roche-Nagi, K. & Hussein, H. (2011) Research report on Five Pillars of Parenting. Approachable Parenting.
Note on provider involvement: This provider has agreed to Foundations’ terms of reference (or the Early Intervention Foundation's terms of reference), and the assessment has been conducted and published with the full cooperation of the intervention provider.
Rated 1: Set up and delivery is low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of less than £100.
Rated 2: Set up and delivery is medium-low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £100–£499.
Rated 3: Set up and delivery is medium cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £500–£999.
Rated 4: Set up and delivery is medium-high cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £1,000–£2,000.
Rating 5: Set up and delivery is high cost. Equivalent to an estimated unit cost of more than £2,000.
Set up and delivery cost is not applicable, not available, or has not been calculated.
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Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing child maltreatment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Enhancing school achievement & employment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing crime, violence and antisocial behaviour: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing substance abuse: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing risky sexual behaviour & teen pregnancy: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing obesity and promoting healthy physical development: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Rated 2: Has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome from a quantitative impact study, but there is not yet evidence of causal impact.
Rated 2+: Meets the level 2 rating and the best available evidence is based on a study which is more rigorous than a level 2 standard but does not meet the level 3 standard.
Rated 3: Has evidence of a short-term positive impact from at least one rigorous study.
Rated 3+: Meets the level 3 rating and has evidence from other studies with a comparison group at level 2 or higher.
Rated 4: Has evidence of a long-term positive impact through at least two rigorous studies.
Rated 4+: Meets the level 4 rating and has at least a third study contributing to the Level 4 rating, with at least one of the studies conducted independently of the intervention provider.
Rating has a *: The evidence base includes mixed findings i.e., studies suggesting positive impact alongside studies, which on balance, indicate no effect or negative impact.
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