Elizabeth Cox, Infant and Child Development Consultant, advisor to and strong supporter of KidCareCanada, presented on our behalf at the 35th Annual Making Tomorrow Conference held at the University of Victoria. Liz showed our video Emotional Safety and gathered the feedback and comments summarized below:
Statements made by participants after viewing Emotional Safety:
- Good to see the key message, Let them learn at their own pace.
- Nice to see fathers taking on an active part; taking cues from baby; modeling positivity, love and gentleness.
- The idea of just relaxing and being in the moment with baby.
- Babies feel your stress and emotions. Reminder to parents that babies sense their parent’s anxiety and that increases baby’s anxiety. This anxiety can stay with child throughout life.
- When you do things by the textbook but not with the right intention, they don’t work. When you do things wrong but with the right intention, they can still work.
- Trust your instincts. New parents are scared. Just relax.
- Importance of supportive relationship without judgement. It is okay to need help and support sometimes. You will get tired and stressed sometimes. Nobody is perfect.
- All babies need is love. You can’t spoil baby. Love is what matters. Age, race, and socioeconomic status are not relevant to baby.
Uses for the KidCareCanada DVD, suggested by participants:
- Father discussion groups
- Book lending library (give some to parents)
- Show in class to parents – infant toddler program (revisit themes)
- Best Babies + Baby Talk
- Hospital
- Triple P-avenue for distribution
- Baby Welcome
- Midwife Centers/Doulas
- Nurse Practitioner
- Evening-weekend workshop
- Training in video for childcare providers (messaging – reminder)
- CCRR agencies
- Prenatal programs
- Use intro of summary of points – especially for educators
- A lot of attention on vulnerable population
- Every parent needs this
- Positive – no shame
Suggestions for Future DVDs
1. Child development – what is normal?
2. Temperament
a. “the fit”
b. Sibling differences
3. Father involvement
a. Simple touch, singing, interaction
b. Role of fathers
4. Singing/Reading – early
a. “How to” ideas for literacy
b. Being playful
5. Bonding with non-genetic child
a. Different types of families
b. Grand parenting
6. Same gender parents (L.G.B.T.)
7. Adoptive Parenting
8. Parenting more than 1 child
a. Twins
b. 2nd babe
Evaluation of the Emotional Safety DVD:
- Information shared in a positive and non-judgmental way
- Helpful to watch before birth (pre-birth anxiety, not knowing what to expect)
- Length of video (25 min.) is good. Not too long
- The presenters in the video spoke softly and gently. They were easy to listen to.
- The summary (3 minute Promo of Emotional Safety) is helpful if there is no time to watch the entire video.
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Wonderful to hear how people felt changed by having their child.