In Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney (Walker Books), a rabbit reaches up to the sky to illustrate the enormity of his emotion. Many pre-school children in the poorer areas of Dundee are now also stretching as high as they can, in imitation of this well-known bunny. They are taking part in a project designed to help parents interact better with their children, and give early years workers ideas for physical activities.
The Youth Sport Development Project began in 1998. It originally focused on older children, but soon realised the need to include under-fives. Project co-ordinator Alys Craven secured Sure Start funding for an additional staff post, held by Jackie Archibald, and since October last year, Jackie has been visiting early years settings in the social inclusion partnership (SIP1) areas of Dundee.
'When I first went in, the parents would not interact with their children at all,' says Jackie. 'But now we see mothers playing with their children, making eye contact and responding to them. I know they are doing the activities I introduce at home, because the children know all the songs and they can do the actions - they don't learn that in two lessons,' she adds.
Gently does it
The SIP1 areas have high levels of deprivation, with unemployment in some cases almost double the average for the city of Dundee, as well as low levels of educational attainment.
In many cases, parents did not want advice on how to play with their children, so project organisers had to take a 'softly softly' approach. 'If you just invite parents to come and get involved in the sessions, they simply don't come,' says Alys. 'So we invite them to 'come in for a look'
and put no pressure on them to take part. As they get used to us, they gradually join in.'
If parents are too shy to demonstrate activities to children, Alys suggests they use a teddy bear to show the movement, so the children still learn through watching and copying.
'Parents are very surprised at the abilities their little ones have,' says Jackie. 'For example, when we did a dance routine with the children, they were amazed at how much the little ones remembered. Parents have been quite apprehensive to begin with, but I am amazed at their enthusiasm as the weeks go on. These parents went on to raise 200 to buy equipment.
And four of these mothers are now going on to take qualifications in childcare.'
Value for money
In such deprived areas, value for money is always a major factor, so versatile equipment is a must. For example, Alys explains that different coloured balls and hoops can promote physical activity, but can also be used for colour sorting and counting. Lack of storage is another common problem, so resources need to be easily put away. A parachute is one such toy. One activity suggested by the project is for children to toss a teddy on top of a parachute and see which colour he lands on! For parachute games at home, a blanket can be used.
Parents are given laminated cards referring to well-known children's books that suggest activities for the home. The cards proved so popular at Mossgiel Nursery it set up a successful home library. Nursery teacher Diane Irving says, 'Through listening to and observing parents, relationships have been strengthened between staff, parents, children and school. We are encouraging parents to recognise their role as the child's first educator.'
An interesting spin-off is that while setting up the library, staff became aware of parents' literacy problems so they invited an adult literacy scheme to operate from the nursery and were delighted when many parents attended.
The Youth Sport Development Project runs short-term programmes to ensure the groups have the necessary expertise and resources to continue the activities once Jackie has left. And most of the groups Jackie has run are continuing with her ideas. Group leaders can get back in touch with her at any time, should they need help.
