Primary pupils graduate with flying colours
Primary school pupils in Lisburn have been enjoying their first graduation ceremony, as part of Early Intervention Lisburn’s ‘Incredible Years Programme’.
The initiative, run by the Public Health Agency (PHA), was set up to help 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.
Chris Totten, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement (South East) at the PHA, explained: “Investing in the early stages of a child’s life will produce the best outcomes for both their mental and physical health. An initiative like the Incredible Years Programme is very important in taking those first steps for a child’s wellbeing.
“The structure of the programme is also significant by involving parents on this journey and helping parents build on their existing skills to engage better with their children. Collectively the parents in the group now have a toolkit to cope better with 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 in children’s school experiences.
Largymore Primary School, Lisburn was one of five schools to participate. The school’s principal Gillian Dunlop said: “At the end of 16 weeks it is fantastic to celebrate with parents and children. We are very proud of their achievements.
“The Incredible Years Programme has so much to offer for the social, emotional and behavioural development of our kids and parental involvement strengthens those home school links that are vital to secure educational success for their children. Hopefully this will be the first of many graduations.”
The Incredible Years Programme has been funded by the Department for Social Development through the Early Intervention Lisburn Project and is also available in Lisburn Central PS, Old Warren PS, Knockmore PS and Tonagh PS.
The Early Intervention Lisburn Project was initiated by the Resurgam Community Development Trust in 2011 to improve outcomes for children, young people and families in deprived areas of Lisburn. 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 wide range of community, statutory, voluntary and government partners that will ensure new initiatives and existing services support each other and work better together to meet the growing demands of family life.