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Key ingredients of effective interventions

3. Early learning and care

Providing children with a positive, enriching learning experience was achieved through a variety of innovative approaches. Some programs that sought to simply expose children to words and books used an outreach approach, while others recruited parents and young children at immunisation services, playgroups, kindergartens and child care services. These brief “storytime” sessions were conducted in community languages as appropriate. Role-modelling (to the parent) and promoting the local library were ways of supporting children’s access to books and encouraging parents to read to their children at home.

My daughter opens a book at home and asks me to tell her about the picture. I have learnt how to read a story. I have picked up skills as to how to make a story interesting using my voice. (Parent feedback, Bilingual Storytimes)

Other programs had greater contact with parents and children, and some were highly structured. Some were designed with a focus on “fun”, where skills (cognitive, social, motor) development occurred through dance, play, themed activities and peer contact (both parent and child). Others involved set tasks and activities for the parent to do with the child, and involved more deliberate role-modelling, worker support and direction. Some came with guidebooks and manuals and take-home resources for parents.

Programs typically have one person who provides leadership and coordination, although trained volunteers (often parents) are used as well. Services are delivered in community settings where parents feel at ease, including the parent’s own home. Critically, all programs work towards enhancing, supporting and developing the vital role that parents play in children’s early learning. In some circumstances, networking and liaison with other services and referrals are used to “value-add”.

Source: Promising Practice Profiles: Final report (PDF 2.2 MB) (Soriano, Clark & Wise. 2008). p34

Key ingredients of effective interventions

3. Early learning and care

List of key ingredients:

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