Incredible Years:
EdStart is part of the Education and Training Section of Galway City Partnership. We deliver the Incredible Years Series in Galway City, with a goal to reduce the incidence of early school leaving. It is an evidence based prevention and intervention programme devised in America by Dr. Carolyn Webster Stratton to enhance social and emotional competencies in children aged 2-10 years.
The Co-ordinator responsible for Education and Training at the Galway City Partnership is Seamus Morrissey. Seamus was a key figure in introducing the Incredible Years Programmes to Galway City with the goal of supporting the implementation of evidence-based programmes, through a multi-agency and community-based approach, which aim to improve the educational experiences, learning opportunities, social and emotional skills of children in Galway City. Seamus can be contacted on (091) 773466 or seamus@gcp.ie
Pre-School Programmes:
 The programme for pre-school teachers was established in March 2008. We are currently supporting the implementation of a classroom wide programme in six community Pre Schools. Within the preschools, approximately 130 children are learning social skills during circle time using puppets, DVD’s and games. The preschool teachers are trained to deliver the topics, which include school rules, expressing feelings, solving problems and being friendly. Throughout the entire day at preschool the teachers use positive reinforcement and incentives to support the curriculum. The parents are involved in the programme through information sessions, regular explanatory notes and homework sessions with their children. These parents are also offered a place on an Incredible Years Parenting Programme during the school year.
We are also in the planning stage of developing a transition plan for the preschool children moving to Junior Infants.Siobhan Fox is the EdStart project worker to contact with any enquires about this program. She can be called on (091) 773466 or emailed on siobhanfox@gcp.ie.
Dina School:
 Dina School is the children’s programme running in three primary schools in Galway. Dina School strengthens children's social, emotional and academic competencies such as understanding and communicating feelings, using effective problem solving strategies, managing anger, practicing friendship and conversational skills, as well as appropriate classroom behaviours. These topics are covered over 22 weekly two-hour sessions with six children who have been identified by the school as needing additional support for various reasons. The programme in Galway has been running since 2007 and we work in partnership with the Schools Completion Programme and schools themselves to facilitate Dina School. These parents are requested to attend an Incredible Years Parenting programme during the school year in order to support the news skills their children are learning.
Mary McHugh is the EdStart project worker to contact with any enquires about this program. She can be called on (091) 773466 or emailed on marymchugh@gcp.ie.
Parent Programme:
The Incredible Years parent training intervention is a series of programmes focused on strengthening parenting competencies (monitoring, positive discipline, confidence) and fostering parents' involvement in children's school experiences in order to promote children's academic, social and emotional competencies and reduce conduct problems. The programme consists of components that build upon one another:
Program 1 - Strengthening Children's Social Skills, Emotional Regulation and School Readiness Skills.
Program 2 - Using Praise and Incentives to Encourage Cooperative Behaviour.
Program 3 - Positive Discipline - Rules, Routines and Effective Limit Setting.
Program 4 - Positive Discipline - Handling Misbehaviour.
The Incredible Years Parenting Course works on developing ongoing relationships with parents through home visits and phone calls alongside the delivery of sessions. Through relationship building as well as varied techniques of presentation during the course and good group facilitation skills we aim to keep the majority of parents attending for the whole twelve-week programme. Six parent programmes have been run in Galway city in 2007-2008, in Ballybane, Westside, Knocknacarra and Tirellan with a graduation rate over 75%. Currently another three programmes are being delivered in Westside, Knocknacarra and Ballybane. What some parents are saying about the parent programmes in Galway:
“It’s getting better with every session, the relationship with my kids. I have learned better ways of dealing with each and every old and new behaviour they are exhibiting” Westside, 2008.
“I really enjoyed the role play, putting into practice the praise gave me good examples which I’m going to follow up with my children” Ballybane, 2008.
“Helps to know that other Mams feel the same as me at times” Tirellan, 2008.
“I found this program very helpful, it has built my confidence in myself as a mother. It is helping me to know who my kids are” Tirellan, 2008.
“I now have a completely different approach to my children and its definitely for the better” Westside 2008
“I found the videos helpful this evening. Seeing someone else go through the motions you can see where you’re going wrong or right” Knocknacarra, 2008.
“I am benefiting very much from this course and I’m definitely seeing changes for the good in my home” Ballybane, 2008.
“Everyone is nice and helpful. I like the open discussions that we always have during the sessions.” Westside, 2008.
“I am sorry to see this course ending next week. I enjoyed every minute and learn so much” Westside, 2008.
Nicole McGuigan is the EdStart project worker to contact with any enquires about this program. She can be called on (091) 773466 or emailed on nicole@gcp.ie
The Incredible Years programmes in Galway are currently being evaluated by National University of Ireland, Galway.For more information on the Incredible Years Programmes please visit www.incredibleyears.com
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