All about nurturing children

SKIP (Strategies for Kids and Information for Parents) was set up in 2004 with the philosophy that every child deserves the chance of being raised in a positive and caring way. Education reporter Lin Ferguson visited the Central Baptist Kindergarten where the SKIP co-ordination centre is based

IT'S all about our children, SKIP says.

It's about making sure parents and caregivers feel confident about managing children's behaviour as part of a loving, nurturing relationship.

Wanganui SKIP manager Royce Dewes said SKIP was the arm that drew in all children-focused agencies in the community to spread the word, the resources and help families in the community.

The benefits of work going on in Wanganui with parents and caregivers were already amazing, she said. "It's all about collaboration ... in fact, collaboration is the key, and I'm happy to say it's really working here in Wanganui," Mrs Dewes said. Working in conjunction with SKIP are agencies including Jigsaw, Open Home Foundation, Public Health, Family Works and Barnados. "It's all about local organisations supporting parents with children aged 0 to 5 years old," she said. SKIP offers free resources for the parents of children aged 0 to 5 and connects them with community agencies offering parenting courses. SKIP also brings in exciting and dynamic speakers to encourage and support parents.

One such recent guest was Brainwave Trust speaker Nathan Mikaere-Wallis, who spoke about how experiences in the first three years of a child's life determine brain development.

Mrs Dewes said SKIP funded the visit and about 100 parents attended the afternoon session and more than 300 parents went to the evening session.

"And this was a diverse range of parents. They were from right across the board. It was fantastic," she said. Mrs Dewes said bringing in enlightened speakers was integral.

"Parents here want to know, and they come along."

This year entertainer Pio Terei was also brought to Wanganui by SKIP to share his stories and a huge amount of practical knowledge with his 90-minute parenting show.

Terei gets across vital messages about a happy, healthy family life in a way that clicks with the audience. It is designed with Maori in mind, though the show has a wide appeal to all audiences.

One of SKIP's resources shows how a child is able to learn effectively.

Give them love and warmth.

Lots of talking and listening.

Guidance and understanding.

Set limits and boundaries.

Be consistent.

It was SKIP's aim that all children in New Zealand be safe and nurtured, and grew into happy, capable adults, said Mrs Dewes.

A poem by Dorothy Law Nolte written in 1972 said it all, she said:

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn

If a child lives with hostility, she learns to fight

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy

If a child lives with shame, she learns to feel guilty

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient

If a child lives with encouragement, she learns confidence

If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate

If a child lives with fairness, she learns justice

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith

If a child lives with approval, she learns to like herself

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world

The 60 services and agencies that make up the SKIP forum decide collaboratively how to best spend the SKIP funding in the Wanganui community.