Classes for children and guardians
Reykjavík City offers a wide range of evidence-based classes for parents and children. The courses teach effective strategies designed to improve feelings, behaviors and social skills and promote good communication within the family.
How do I apply for a class?
The classes are a part of the support program for children and their families. Class applications are submitted through My Pages on the Reykjavík City website.
Cool Kids
A course for parents of children ages 3 to 6 who show signs of shyness, anxiety, or both. Parents learn strategies to prevent and tackle the problem and prevent anxiety from developing in their children.
ADAM — for teenagers
ADAM is a course for teenagers in grades 8–10 who want to improve their communication skills and better manage emotions such as anxiety, low mood, and stress.
Drawing on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) methods, the program focuses on building mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional control, and communication skills, as well as finding balance in daily life. Teens learn practical ways to handle challenging situations and improve their well-being, both now and over the long term.
Sessions emphasize active participation and learning through games and exercises.
The class meets for nine sessions, each lasting 1½ hours. Parents join their teenagers for an introduction during the first session and a wrap-up during the final one. Throughout the course, parents will be contacted as needed.
The program is offered in partnership with Primary Care of the Capital Area. Psychologists specializing in emotional difficulties among children and teenagers lead the course.
Parent-Based CBT (HAM)
Classes for parents of children ages 5-12 who show disabling anxiety symptoms. Parents learn strategies to help their child manage anxiety and prevent the problem from getting worse.
PEERS
Classes for children ages 11-15 with limited social skills. During the classes, the young people learn strategies to improve their social skills and deal with communication in different situations. Parents also attend the classes.
PMTO Parent Management Training
Parenting classes, group treatment and individual treatment for parents of children ages 4-12 with behavioral or adjustment problems. The type of services depends on how extensive the problem is. Parents learn supportive parenting strategies to improve their children's adjustment, behavior, communication and well-being and prevent additional problems from developing.
SPARE
Designed for parents with refugee backgrounds who speak Arabic or Ukrainian. Age range: Ages 2–18 The class is based on PMTO as well as parents learning ways to cope with emotions or traumas so that the adaptation, behavior and feelings of the children and the family can be improved SPARE is offered in partnership with the University of Iceland.
SES – Samvinna eftir skilnað (Co-parenting after divorce)
A class for divorced parents, those going through divorce or considering divorce. Parents learn to improve cooperation between them, focusing on the children's interests. The program targets parents of children ages 0-18.
