Parents
Welcome Parents
If your child is attending a DE funded playgroup or nursery school in Northern Ireland you will probably have heard of the Getting Ready to Learn programme and participated through stay and plays, information sessions, pyjama parties and received book bags and home lending packs. Some of you may know the programme through Big Bedtime Read, our most popular theme.
As parents, you are your child’s first and most important educator. Playing, reading and talking to your child will greatly increase your child’s language skills and how well they do at school. The earlier we begin these activities with our children the better the results and the longer they will last.
This section of our website is updated regularly with ideas and suggestions to support the development of the preschool child. Please feel free to download, use and share these resources with friends and family.
If your child is attending a nursery or preschool that delivers the Getting Ready to Learn Programme you will be able to access more resources, ideas and activities through our dedicated parent area. To create an account please contact your child’s preschool who will provide you with an invite code and instructions noted in the setting tab area. Once you have an invite code please click here to create your account.
How every child can thrive by five (Molly Wright | TED and Minderoo Foundation)
"What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?" asks seven-year-old Molly Wright, one of the youngest-ever TED speakers. Breaking down the research-backed ways parents and caregivers can support children's healthy brain development, Wright highlights the benefits of play on lifelong learning, behavior and well-being, sharing effective strategies to help all kids thrive by the age of five. She's joined onstage by one-year-old Ari and his dad, Amarjot, who help illustrate her big ideas about brain science. (This TED Talk was produced in collaboration with Minderoo Foundation as an educational tool for parents and caregivers around the world and is supported by UNICEF.)
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Down's Syndrome Assocation: ONLINE TRAINING
Down’s Syndrome Association are hosting a 90-minute online workshop, providing i....
10 Mar 2021
Exploring ASD with the Northern Trust
A selection of podcasts on autism for parents, carers and young people, provided by the Paediatric ASD Service of the No....
26 Feb 2021
FREE Online Courses for NI Parents!
26 Feb 2021
'Get Sensory' Packs - Apply Now
“Caudwell Children is excited to announce the launch of our Get Sensory Packs! We’ve listened to our familie....
12 Feb 2021
8 Ways To Help Children Struggling During Lockdown
This week (1-7th February 2021) is Children's Mental Health Week This past year has been incredi....
04 Feb 2021
Parent Workshops - January / February 2021
Parenting NI offer a range of parenting programmes throughout Northern Ireland to help you build on your skills and....
11 Jan 2021
Play Matters - Resources for Winter Fun!
PlayBoardNI have lots of resources and information to help make the winter months a little more bearable! Follow the....
05 Jan 2021
Christmas PlayDough Mats
Middletown Centre's Christmas themed playdough mats will keep little hands busy! Playdough is a popular activity....
22 Dec 2020
Coping with Christmas - Parenting NI
Christmas can be a wonderful time of year filled with lots of celebrations and fun for families, but it can also be very....
17 Dec 2020
Button Battery and Small Toy Warning
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is warning parents and guardians about the dangers of lithium button cell batteries, whic....
15 Dec 2020
