Before words
Comments
Nursery World 16th June 2005
"But the reaction from parents was unequivocal. 'When we first started to give it out, people would pick it up and almost hug it. Mum's liked it and identified with the pictures.'"
"Nationally the pack is now being used by Surestart programmes across the UK."
'We start from the premise that all babies are magical. Parents respond to their children, but now maybe that is underpinned with clear knowledge, so we are getting more self-aware and more confident parents.'
"Ms Laben (parent) says 'Before Words' has been worthwhile from the earliest stages. 'Most of the information you can find about speech development starts from only one year old, but 'Before Words' starts from birth. It isn't so detailed as to make you start worrying, but just nice and reassuring about what's happening, with enough information that you know what to look forward to.'
Feedback Questionnaires
"Before Words is a valuable, practical and innovative tool that is an asset to parents and 'professionals' alike - and it's our children who benefit in the long term."
(Speech and Language Therapist)
"Stimulates thoughts and ideas for parents, to make parents realise they can influence child's progression." (Nursery Nurse)
"Accessible to parents with lower levels of literacy but enough info. and not patronizing for people who want to know more. Visuals very captivating especially for Dads!"
(Health Visitor)
"Attractive, accessible positive images, diversity of cultures included, easy to circulate, informal style." (Speech and Language Therapist)
"(I use it) within Baby PEEP - baby social - family support - within Early Years provision - parents groups to raise the profile of early language development." (Surestart worker)
"Opens the discussions around speech and children's home environment i.e. not T.V. all day every day." (Health Visitor)
Feedback Making a Difference
"Not using it - it gives mixed messages to clients e.g. pillow under babies head, not positioning baby at the bottom of cot." (Health Visitor)
In consultation with this Health Visitor, illustrations were changed to support health and safety messages given out by health professionals - Second Edition.
"Please extend it to a similar pack for the older pre-school child." (Health Visitor)
In response to a number of such requests we created 'Now we're talking' to cover the development of First Words and then Words Together.
