New training set to support more children born prematurely and their families
The new module addresses how to support children and families in the preschool years
Starting nursery or an early years setting can be a big step in the journey for families after neonatal care, with many parents worrying about the lasting impact of premature birth.
Although being born early does not mean a child will have special educational needs, it does increase the chances.
A new online module, ‘Supporting children and families in the pre-school’ years, has been released to increase awareness and understanding within early years staff of the impact of premature birth on children and their families.
Developed in partnership between the PRISM (Premature Infants’ Skills in Mathematics) Study Team and The Smallest Things premature baby charity, the new module sits alongside a series of five other freely available modules that outline the impact of premature birth on children’s learning and development, and offers staff practical recommendations of how to support prematurely born children in their classrooms and early years settings.
Catriona Ogilvy, Founder of The Smallest Things said: “The journey does not end for families when they bring their prematurely born baby or babies home from hospital. Many experience re-admissions to hospital as well as frequent follow-up appointments, and following the trauma of neonatal intensive care, mums and dads are much more likely to experience difficulties with their own mental well-being. Having nursery staff who understand their journey, and staff who can provide timely support for their child in the early years, means the world to neonatal families.”
The new module explores the impact of premature birth both on the child and the wider family. It provides practical tips not only for early years staff, but for parents too. For example, providing a checklist of ‘what questions should I ask’ when choosing a nursery setting.
Professor Samantha Johnson, Professor of Child Development at the University of Leicester and Lead of the PRISM Study Team said: “Our team was delighted to work with The Smallest Things charity and with a range of parents and education professionals to develop this new training module to help improve support for premature children and their families in the preschool years.
"Our research shows that children born prematurely are at higher risk of cognitive, social-emotional and learning difficulties than children who were born after a full-term pregnancy, and that such difficulties can persist from the first few years of life throughout schooling. The early years set the foundation for children’s later learning and outcomes. It is therefore essential that preschool staff understand the impact a premature birth can have and that they are ready to support prematurely born children who may need it, to ensure that all children have the best possible start in life.”
The Smallest Things promotes the modules as part of their charity ‘Prem Aware’ Award which recognises settings who have undertaken further training and taken additional steps to identify and support prematurely born children. The award was commended in last year's House of Lords Preterm birth Inquiry report, alongside the need to provide timely support for children born prematurely and adequate follow-up.
Emphasising the need for the new module, one parent said: “Reflecting on our neonatal journey, I still get emotional thinking about it and worry about my baby’s development, both physically and emotionally, and how being premature may affect her…have I done enough to ensure she has had the best start in life?”
Another parent added: “My 27-weeker is three now and I really feel that nobody gets the ongoing health issue that ex premature babies have. Her age was adjusted to corrected age when she turned two, but she is still not on a par physically or mentally to a child that was born at term. I am so, so nervous about sending her to playschool in September.”
The new ‘Supporting children and families in the pre-school’ years module will give parents reassurance and the confidence they need to discuss any worries they have with nursery staff, and will give early years settings the knowledge and awareness they need to support families and children in their lasting journey following preterm birth.