Abstract

Enhancing Parent-Child Interaction Through Play: Exploring the Design and Practice Model of QEC's PlaySteps Program

Author(s)

Sue Couper -QEC

Ms Beverley Allen -Queen Elizabeth Centre

Ms Christeen Waring -Queen Elizabeth Centre

Dr Susan Rogers -Parenting Research Centre

Play Steps is an eight-week program grounded in existing knowledge about the importance of the early relationship between a parent and their child. The program moves from this theoretical foundation and draws on Promoting First Relationships 'A Curriculum for Service Providers to Help Parents and Other Caregivers Meet Young Children's Social and Emotional Needs to implement a positive, play-based experience for families.

The program is designed to introduce and develop the core elements of a healthy parent-child interaction through positive play experiences with the aim of strengthening attachment and building resilience for families. This workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to familiarise themselves with the program design and practice model that underpins its successful implementation.

A key component of the program has been the use of video and still images to support the reflective function of parents Visual imagery has also supported our commitment to strengths-based work through noticing and capturing examples of existing strengths.

An evaluation of this program is being conducted to examine the effectiveness of the program in both improving and sustaining positive parent-child interaction and relationships. In addition to this, the research is examining parental enjoyment and confidence in parenting, parents' professional and personal social networks, and the effect of the program on parents' sense of well-being, such as depression, anxiety and stress.

The presentation will outline the project's research design, highlight some of the challenges encountered during recruitment and data collection and how they have been addressed, and summarise interim findings.