The project was led by the Family and Parenting Institute, whose reportfound that parents who took part became more confident and aware of thefactors that influence healthy child development, creating a morepositive learning environment at home.
The report, which complements an evaluation of the project undertaken byOxford University's Department of Education in 2008 (News, 3 July 2008),draws on final reports and case studies from each of the individualprojects involved.
Mary MacLeod, chief executive of the Family and Parenting Institute,said, 'The work aimed to encourage parents to experiment with play,reading, exploring and singing to stimulate their children's learningand curiosity.
'The most exciting were the outcomes for many parents and children whohad more enjoyment and fun together, which had a knock-on effect ontheir relationships with each other.
'As parents became more confident, so did their children, and the moretime they spent with their children, the more they understood theirneeds'.
The Early Learning Partnership Programme was funded by the Departmentfor Children, Schools and Families to address inequalities ofopportunity for children aged between one and three who are at risk oflearning delay.
It aimed to help parents with complex and multiple challenges in theirlives to become more confiden in engaging with their child's earlylearning and more receptive to addressing their child's learningneeds.
Further information: www.familyandparenting.org
