by Parent Hub Donegal

Shaping Ourselves and Our Children

An update from Lifestart on the SOOC project

Shaping Ourselves and Our Children (SOOC) – One Year On!

We have just completed our first year of ‘Shaping Ourselves and Our Children – SOOC.  And we want to share with you what parents, grandparents and people who have children in their lives think of SOOC. 650 people have completed SOOC and 99% would recommend this course to anyone who is a mum, dad, grandparent or simply anyone who wants to know how to support children.  SOOC is supported by the EU’s PEACE IV programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and was developed by the Lifestart Foundation and its partners – Lifestart Services CGL, Sligo Family Support Centre, the Dunluce Family Centre, Barnardos Strabane and The Junction.

“Everything we say and do shapes our kids, doing this course has made me realise many things that I would never even thought of” was the feedback from one parent.  This is the main overriding message we get from those who have completed SOOC.   We help parents understand how a child’s self-esteem and confidence is shaped at home.  We look at how the language parents and grandparents use impacts on how a child sees himself and others in our communities.  Many parents believe that SOOC has been hugely beneficial to them.  As one parent remarked “This course was a big eye opener for me!”

Happy children make happy homes!  And happy homes make happy communities.  SOOC enables groups to talk about parenting issues that are important to them.  SOOC also provides tuition and amazing resources on key topics around communication, empathy, behaviour, play and diversity.  Run over 4 days where parents get support with babysitting costs and lunch or supper depending on the time of the course.  Most agree this is not just a wonderful course but it is a great opportunity to meet other mums, dads and grandparents!

SOOC will continue for another two years and we know that you won’t regret doing SOOC.  If you are a group, for example breast feeding, parent and toddlers, dads support groups, Men’s Shed etc., we would love to hear from you.  This course is FREE and available to anyone who has a child in their life.  Keep an eye out for our September SOOCs or contact Mary on 087 210 7496 or email mary.holmes@lifestartfoundation.org for more information.

Match-funding for this project has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

Best Wishes from the Lifestart Foundation Head Office.
Kind Regards

Pauline McClenaghan

___________________________
Dr. Pauline McClenaghan
Lifestart Executive Director
Email: pauline@lifestartfoundation.org
Tel: +44 (0) 2871 365363
Fax:+44 (0) 2871 365334
www.lifestartfoundation.org
Lifestart – educating parents, developing children

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 by Parent Hub Donegal

Babbling Babies nursery rhyme and action song book launched in Central Library, Letterkenny

A fantastic booklet developed by Lifestart Services, with the support of Donegal Library Service and HSE Health Promotion & Improvement Service, was launched in the Central Library, Letterkenny on Wednesday the 18th of April to an enthusiastic audience of adults and young children.

Studies show that if babies and children are read to early, they will enjoy reading and learning more, and do better in school. The aim of the booklet is to encourage language and reading development, and to promote the importance of reading to children.  Rhymes and songs in English, Irish, Polish, Romanian, Hindi and Kiswahili (Kenya) are included.

 Dr. Mary Roche, author of ‘Developing Children’s Critical Thinking through Picture books: a guide for primary and early years’ students and teachers’ launched the booklet. Mary is passionate about encouraging parents to read with babies and children and while launching the booklet she highlighted its benefits:

“Saying and singing rhymes along with your child is great fun and also develops essential pre-reading skills. By reading aloud and discussing books with children you are:

  • Stimulating their imaginations
  • Developing their understanding of how language works
  • Reinforcing the value of reading
  • Helping them to discover the joys of reading
  • Strengthening the relationship with your child, and-
  • Giving them a great start to their education”

Speaking at the launch, the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Gerry McMonagle said “I would like to congratulate and thank all involved for their hard work on bringing this lovely booklet to completion. I hope it will be enjoyed by families throughout Donegal in the weeks and months to come. If you are not familiar with Donegal County Library Service yet, I encourage you to join. It is a wonderful resource, freely accessible to everyone and has much more than books to offer. Check out the library website to see what your little library card can do for you and your family”.

Babbling Babies Nursery Rhyme and Action Song Book is an initiative of the Education & Learning Sub Committee of Donegal CYPSC (Children and Young People’s Services Committee) – which includes Lifestart Services, the Library Service and HSE Health Promotion & Improvement Service. The booklet was funded by The Parenting Support Initiative (PSI), administered through a collaborative partnership between the Katharine Howard Foundation and the Community Fund for Ireland.

The booklet will be distributed to families throughout the county, through Lifestart Services, the library network and other partner organisations, for all to enjoy.

in Advice / Events / Latest News / Parent Support / Uncategorised 0 comments
 by Parent Hub Donegal

Spirals – a parenting programme for parents of 0 -3 year olds

Spirals is coming to Greencastle Community Centre

Spirals is a group parenting programme for parents of children aged from 0 -3 which is run by the Lifestart Foundation. The programme provides an introduction to a range of interesting parenting issues and child development topics for parents and care givers. Play is an central theme of the programme with interactive play sessions every week. The delivery method is fun and interactive with lots of YouTube clips, discussions, practical demonstrations and tips on how to nurture babies and toddlers as they grow and learn.

Spirals will begin on Thursday 23rd November

from 10 – 12 in Greencastle Community Playschool at Greencastle Community Centre. You can contact the Centre on 074 9381054 or email them at info@greencastlecentre.ie to book a place on the Spirals programme.

Spirals will also be starting in Letterkenny in February 2018. Contact parenthubdonegal@gmail.com or 087 1736667 for details.

 

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