Category Archives: Early Years

Infant Mental Health Week 2023 (12-18 June)

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Today marks the beginning of Infant Mental Health Week. This year’s theme, Bonding Before Birth focuses on pregnancy, and how what happens during this time can impact a baby’s future mental health and well-being.

Practitioners from services and disciplines across the statutory, voluntary and community sector in the Southern Trust area have produced a series of short videos for parents/parents to be and those working to support families relating to the theme of Infant Mental Health Week. A sample of videos will be highlighted across Southern Trust Social Media platforms throughout this week.

All videos can be viewed through the following link https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8WVc2H7O1ASo1A6u-hFZZqKIWGoITZ69 

Download Flyer

A regional online half day event for practitioners relating to the theme of Infant Mental Health Week will take place on Thursday 12th October and the keynote speakers are Sally Hogg and Suzanne Zeedyke.

More information to follow. If you would like to register interest, please contact Paula Carson Lewis at The National Children’s Bureau. pcarson-lewis@ncb.org.uk

 

SHSCT Children’s Speach & Language Therapy Team Play & Say Programme

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The Play and Say programme from the Southern Health & Social Care Trust’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team is for children aged 3 years and younger and their parents/carers and is now available for everyone.

It provides tried and tested strategies to support young children’s speech and language development through play.

The programme is delivered by Registered Speech and Language Therapists and has been highly successful in encouraging young children’s communication development.

Discover how you can help your young child progress with their early speech development and listen to the Registered Speech and Language Therapists as they guide you through a series of proven language development strategies –  https://view.pagetiger.com/play-and-say/universal

Download Play and Say flyer

Working Parents – Financial Assistance with Childcare Costs

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As many families face increasing financial pressures, many working parents are struggling with everyday costs, including Childcare Costs. Many working parents are unaware of government financial assistance with childcare costs e.g. Tax Free Childcare, Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit which will support working families to remain in work.

Brightstart Funding in partnership with Family Support NI have produced two animations to give parents an overview of the types of financial help available and practical guidance about how to access it as well as promoting the benefits of registered childcare provision.

Watch Video – https://www.familysupportni.gov.uk/NewsStory/209/working-parents–financial-assistance-with-childcare-costs

Help Kids Talk – July Message

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We have a lovely July message of the month: “Less watching, more talking… put everything away and just sing, talk and play”

This month we want to encourage parents and families to minimise screen time and spend time playing and talking with their children.

Please use the link below which will take you to:

  • a video explaining the message of the month
  • a PDF version of the poster to be displayed in setting or shared via email, Seesaw or another platform
  • some ideas on how to put this message into practice.

CLICK ON LINK TO ACCESS VIDEO AND RESOURCES HERE à https://view.pagetiger.com/july1/1

Please share the message of the month information with your staff team and also with your parents/families. We will be sharing more tips and advice linked to the message of the month on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

Please also note that free training for parents or anyone working with children between 0 and 6 years old is available and can be booked below. (July dates available, keep an eye on the HKT Facebook page for Aug/Sept dates). ‘Basic Awareness’ around speech, language & communication is the first session and Level 1 is a next steps session looking at speech & language milestones, referring a child to Speech Therapy and tips for supporting children with difficulties in the home or their setting:

https://view.pagetiger.com/basic-awareness-webinar-training-dates/help-kids-talk-training

 

Good Bedtime Routines

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Good Bedtime Routines

A good bedtime routine is important for children and adults alike, having a consistent bedtime routine helps children have a better nights’ sleep so that they are ready for a busy day of investigating and exploring at school the next day.  Here are some top tips to get your child to bed from our friends at RISE

https://view.pagetiger.com/RISENI/parents/FINALBedtimeleafletforparents.pdf