Coram PACEY is supporting a new programme to support toddlers’ development: Supporting Toddlers’ Attention, Regulation and Thinking Skills (START). A team at the University of Oxford has co-developed the programme with families.
What is START?
START is a 12-week play-based programme for toddlers and their caregivers. The aim of START is to support 2- to 3-year-olds to develop the important attention, emotion regulation and thinking skills (sometimes known as executive functions). These will help them to work towards their own goals, cope with change, build friendships, and thrive when they enter formal schooling.
It has been designed to be inclusive and engaging for both neurotypical and neurodivergent children (including toddlers who are autistic, showing ADHD-related traits, or who have other developmental differences).
To find out more visit the START project website.
Childminders: Get involved
Alongside parents, childminders play a really important role in supporting children’s development, so the team is now adapting START groups to be suitable for childminders. To do this, they’d like your help in making the sessions as useful and enjoyable as possible.
How do I get involved?
You are invited to a Zoom call on Wednesday 1 October 7.30-8.00 pm or Saturday 4 October 10.00-10.30 am. In the session you will:
- Find about the START programme: why early executive functions are so important, and what’s been learned from trialling the START parent-toddler groups
- Contribute your thoughts on what might need to change to the content and delivery approach of the START programme to make it suitable for childminders
- Register to join the Childminders Advisory Panel for START. Panel members will be paid £40 for their involvement in a two-hour workshop later in October, reviewing the START materials in depth.
The team will be piloting START-childminder groups in Oxford, but for these calls they welcome input from childminders across England.
