Southeast initiativeA series of books and CDs providing information and advice for parents of young children, which have been developed by health authorities in the southeast region, have been approved for use in other areas.
The southeast includes Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and south Tipperary. It is envisaged that in time the packs will be distributed to all new parents throughout most of the State.
The second pack in the series, which covers the period from six months to two years, has just been published and is being sent to parents in the southeast region. The first pack covering from birth to six months was distributed last year and the third pack in the series, dealing with pre-school years, is due to be published next year. As with the first two books it will be piloted and subject to consultation before being published.
"This is a support and a resource for parents in terms of children's health and general child-rearing, but it is always on the understanding that it cannot be a replacement for talking to professionals with special training," said Edel Conway, co-ordinator of the Child Health Information Service Project (Chisp). She said the guide was designed to be "light, friendly and easy to read" and had received the support of the National Adult Literacy Agency. The book is accompanied by a CD for anybody who has difficulty reading.
Ms Conway said she hoped the pack would help parents deal with everyday concerns.
The book is divided into 10 sections on such topics as feeding, sleeping and crying, a guide to growth and development, safety, and play and learning. Information on the books and CDs can be obtained from the website of the Health Service Executive in the southeast: www.sehb.ie