Working to improve emotional development of children
ALEXANDRA - Seventy percent of a child's brain is formed in the first year of birth and this requires parental involvement through bonding.
Seventy percent of a child’s brain is formed in the first year of an infant’s life and this requires parental involvement through bonding.
This, according to research which also states that the first 1 000 days of life are the most important in laying a solid foundation for a child’s mental, emotional wellness and also physical development.
Unfortunately, many South African children are denied the love and care at this crucial stage to enable them to grow into healthy, happy and productive persons according to Ububele Educational and Psychotherapy Trust, a Kew-based NPO.
The organisation works with the Alex community to address this challenge by improving the emotional development of children under seven years of age.
This is done through programmes on early childhood development.
These includes experiential work that:
- Develops models of community-based psychosocial care and support
- Provides training on preventative mental health strategies
- Does research on mental health needs of children, and of their parents and caregivers
- Advocates for mental health care rights of the children
- Provides psychotherapy services to the community.
The programmes includes the Umdlezane Parent – a project that promotes bonding between infants up to two years old with their parents; home visits by the organisation’s staff to families; parent-infant therapy; and the training of caregivers, parents, students of psychology and social workers on early childhood development for three- to seven-year-olds.
The organisation’s Martha Gordon said this service stretched their capacity through their outreach support to clinics, schools and training at the organisation.
“Despite this, the need for support is still great, with many parents, guardians and caregivers needing to know the importance of bonding with children now, for their mental benefit now and in the future.”
Details: Ububele Educational and Psychotherapy Trust 011 786 5085.
