"From A to Z: A Parent Academy"

The "Parent Academy" initiative is a structured, interactive educational program designed for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents. Its primary objective is the empowerment of the parental role and the support of the holistic development, health, and psychosocial well-being of youth through evidence-based information and active engagement.

Each cycle of the Parent Academies comprises 4 to 8 two-hour sessions of an interactive and experiential nature, addressing contemporary issues related to family dynamics and the parent-child relationship. These sessions combine keynote presentations by specialized scientists with open dialogue, exchange of experiences, and practical case studies.

Session Thematics

The curriculum is developed based on parental needs and current scientific data in the field of pediatric and adolescent health, including—but not limited to—the following:

• Developmental stages of children and adolescents and core psychosocial needs.
• Physical, emotional, and behavioral changes during adolescence.
• Family communication and strengthening the parent-child bond.
• Boundaries, rules, and behavior management in children and adolescents.
• School environment relationships and family-school cooperation.
• Youth mental health and identification of early warning signs.
• Emotional empowerment and life skills development.
• Internet and social media use: Parental roles and digital citizenship.
• Sexual development and health education in childhood and adolescence.
• Stress management, crisis intervention, and transitional phases in family life.
• Prevention of high-risk behaviors and promotion of healthy lifestyle choices.
• The family’s role in promoting the health and well-being of children and adolescents.

The educational initiative "From A to Z: A Parent Academy" is implemented by the MSc "Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health", in collaboration with the Hellenic Society for Adolescent Medicine (HSAM), the UNESCO Chair on Global Health and Education, and the Hellenic Inter-Municipal Network of Healthy Cities (EDDYPPY) of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Parent Academies are conducted with online coverage (webinars), ensuring accessibility for parents nationwide. Upon completion of each cycle, participants receive a Certificate of Attendance, formally acknowledging their participation in the educational program.