Intervention project helps primary pupils

Jamie and Ben Hamilton, pupils at Largymore Primary School, enjoy their graduation from the Public Health Agencys Incredible Years Programme which helps build confidence and help children understand their emotions.

The Early Intervention Incredible Years Programme is an initiative run by the Public Health Agency (PHA).

It aims to build confidence and helps parents understand and manage their child’s behaviour better and also to help teach children how to understand their emotions, with the aim of benefitting their long-term health and wellbeing.

Largymore, along with Old Warren and Knockmore, was one of three primary schools to participate in the programme.

Principal Gillian Dunlop spoke about its benefits. She said, ““The Incredible Years Programme has so much to offer for the social, emotional and behavioural development of our kids. Parental involvement strengthens those home-school links that are vital to secure educational success for their children.

“At the end of 16 weeks it is fantastic to celebrate with parents and children and we are very proud of their achievements.”

Mary Black, Assistant Director of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at the PHA, said: “An initiative like the Incredible Years Programme, now in its second year, is very important in supporting first steps for a child’s wellbeing. Investing in the early stages of a child’s life can produce the best outcomes for both mental and physical health.

“The structure of the programme is also significant by involving parents in this exciting journey and helping parents build on their existing skills to engage with their children. Collectively parents in the group now have a toolkit to cope better with the challenges that present in everyday life.”

Incredible Years includes a range of initiatives designed to help children manage their emotions, reduce behaviour problems and increase problem-solving skills.

It includes a ‘Dinosaur School’ with friendly child-sized puppets for younger children and a parenting programme focused on strengthening parenting skills and promoting parent involvement.

The Early Intervention Lisburn Project was initiated by the Resurgam Community Development Trust in 2011. The research report, ‘The Best for Every Child 2012,’ identified the need to focus on building community aspiration and expectation. The project is supported by a range of community, statutory, voluntary and government partners that will ensure new initiatives and existing services support each other and work better.