News - September 2003
New Guide for Parents
A new guide has been produced to help parents whose children are taking part in Zippy's Friends, a school-based programme that helps young children to develop coping skills.The guide, which will be distributed free of charge, explains why it is important to pay attention to children's emotional health and wellbeing. It introduces the research on which Zippy's Friends is based, shows parents how the programme works and then outlines the findings of various evaluation studies.
Programme Manager Caroline Egar said: 'Parents are bound to hear their children talking about the programme and this character called Zippy. If they already know what it's all about, they can back up the lessons that the children are learning and help to prolong the positive effects.'
The guide suggests six specific ways in which parents can help to make Zippy's Friends more effective for their children:
- Many teachers organise a meeting for parents before Zippy's Friends starts. Go along, find out more and ask questions.
- Ask for a timetable so that you know in advance when your child will be discussing particular topics.
- Show interest and encourage your child to tell you about the day's session.
- Talk to your child's teacher if you have family news that you want them to know about.
- You may notice your child being less aggressive, more tolerant and better at solving problems. Encourage all positive changes.
- Be prepared for your child to start talking more - and be prepared to listen!
A survey of Lithuanian parents whose children participated in Zippy's Friends found that 72 per cent noticed changes in their children's behaviour. Children communicated more freely, valued friends, appeared to be more thoughtful, attentive, friendly and sincere, and started understanding others.
'The feedback from parents has been very positive,' said Caroline. 'I remember at one kindergarten in Trakai, about an hour from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, a mother told me that Zippy's Friends had changed her family's life! Her children had become much better at listening to each other, and she said "I couldn't believe it when I found out that Zippy was just a stick insect!"'
Zippy's Friends will be launched in Southampton, UK, in October and the parents of all the participating children will receive a copy of the guide. The text of the guide is also being given to agencies that are running the programme in Denmark, India and Lithuania, for them to adapt to their own needs.
The cost of producing the guide was supported by the Network for Social Change. The international development and evaluation of Zippy's Friends has been funded by GlaxoSmithKline.