Concurrent Sessions 3 - (NBCC CE Credit: #1 hr and Conference Attendance Credit: #1 hr)

Made Possible by the Education and Enrichment Section

124-01: Overview and Methods of the "What Works" Project
Lawrence H. Ganong, Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia

124-02: What Works: Stepparenting in Stepfamilies
Lawrence H. Ganong, Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia

124-03: What Works: Biological Parenting in Stepfamilies
Caroline Sanner, Ph.D., Virginia Tech; Olivia Landon, M.S., University of Missouri-Columbia

124-04: What Works: Coparenting in Stepfamilies
Marilyn Coleman, Ed.D.; Steve Berkley, M.S., University of Missouri-Columbia

Discussant: Todd Jensen, Ph.D., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; Chair: Lawrence H. Ganong, Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia

Summary
The purpose of this symposium is to examine research evidence about effective childrearing in stepfamilies. We define stepfamilies broadly to include any family in which at least one child is the biological or adoptive offspring of an earlier relationship of one of the adult partners. Effective childrearing is defined as behaviors, actions, communications, strategies, and interactions performed by stepparents, biological parents, and coparents that contribute positively to children's physical, cognitive, and emotional wellbeing.

Objectives
-- To "practice" guidelines for effective childrearing in stepfamilies
-- To draw "best practice" guidelines for effective childrearing in stepfamilies
-- To identify gaps in what is known about effective childrearing in stepfamilies