As soon as the Acknowledgement of Country begins, a gentle current carries around the room. The music begins, bringing focus to the fore, worries and thoughts are placed aside, for the joy and connection of group singing ascends. It draws the group into the present.
The first and immediate feeling is connection here in the Tomorrow Today Foundation playroom. There are no phones in sight. Families are warmly greeted at the door and asked to remove their shoes as they move into a soft, carpeted area, ideal for babies and toddlers. Homemade art decorates the walls and windows. Everyone comes together in a circle, wrapping around the room and facing one another. It is hard to not be reminded of an Aboriginal artist who spoke about circles acting as meeting places in an artwork she created for Playgroup Victoria. A place where people gather.
And gather they do here in Benalla. Sixteen sessions of the PEEP Parents Early Education Partnership run each week.
On this particular Tuesday, on an intermittent sun splashed winters day, four sessions run, beginning at 9.30 and running until 3pm. The room is full of energy, as curious toddlers watch on and play, facilitators share activities and mothers chat and care for their babies.
Part of the power of the PEEP program is the investment in the parents and carers. Not only does it acknowledge the great work the parents do each day, it also encourages more of it, by reinforcing their role as their child’s primary educator. It shines light on the everyday opportunities to bond, learn, share and connect through play.
The PEEP program in the heart of Benalla creates space for parents and carers to replenish their cup in a safe space, both literally and figuratively. Cups of tea are passed around and conversation can be light or permeate further into deeper discussion.
“I love that every adult who attends PEEP wants to be a better parent. And they learn to be!” said Sally Matheson, Education Benalla Program Manager at the Tomorrow Today Foundation.
“I watch them adapting their approach to behavioural issues and changing their tone of voice and learning to sing and read with their child.”
The PEEP program began in Oxford England. The Tomorrow Today Foundation based in Benalla came upon it in 2012, when they were seeking an Early Years program to nurture their community from the ground up. Two Benalla professionals working in the Early Years space had the chance to travel overseas and participate in the program. The program’s coordinator, Cath Warnock, spoke enthusiastically about the way parents and children engaged.
“The foundation of the program was looking at what makes a difference to children’s trajectories for education. One of the areas that came up very clearly was in the early years space and parent education in that early year’s space,” said Cath Warnock, longstanding PEEP Coordinator.
“I was so excited to be able to be part of this opportunity in Benalla.”
“Personally, I have really enjoyed being able to offer a place for families to come along and be supported in their parenting journey.”
Tomorrow Today was the first organisation to introduce the PEEP program in Australia. The baulk of the funding came through the Advancing Country Towns project. Benalla being identified as a disadvantaged area gained some of the funding as a result.
“I think the thing that piqued the interest about PEEP was the research by six independent universities, showing its impact on vulnerable families. That is why is got the green light,” said Sally.
“To me, the beauty is that it’s not a scripted program. It can follow the trends, what parents want to learn about. We can follow the latest evidence-based practice and incorporate that into the lesson plans, but it is parents learning from each other.”
Cath and her fellow facilitators say that they get a sense of the feeling in the room and while they prepare detailed lesson plans, they are also guided by what is going on in the world, tailoring their sessions in accordance. While still riding the waves of the pandemic, this has proven to be essential.
During this session, the parents review Benalla’s AEDC data together as their children play close by. Looking at the broader outlook of developmental outcomes by school age. The discussion highlights the ways that the early years have an impact on the years that follow. The conversation also poses questions and the participants empower one another by sharing their ideas and stories.
“There’s so much that is learnt in this first 0-5 years.”
“I think being acknowledged, that coming here, you are doing something very important for your child, and for you,” said Cath.
Cath said, as a starting point, PEEP gives parents a place to come, that is safe. Here they can talk to other parents. It is here that parents can watch other parents in action, observe, seek advice from one another, get advice from the facilitators, talk about things that are relevant. One connection led to another. New growth begins and sprouts.
“There is a parenting discussion component that is really great and the children’s play, activities and circle time- we could see that all those elements melded together would be ideal.”
“Cath’s talks help,” said one Mum
“They help me to change my wording or how I am approaching something. It’s always good to get extra help and tips.”
The positives that parents speak of include developing routine, structure, developing children’s language, developing early literacy skills, coping with separation, social and behavioural competence. Crucially, it is about building confidence, finding friendship, having fun, having something consistent and reliable in life- all things needing attention after a long spell of uncertainty. All things we need as humans throughout life, most acutely when caring for one another.
The parents agree it is always worthwhile coming each week. It’s worth breaking through the unfamiliarity and trying something new.
“It got me out of the house. I was petrified,” said one Mum. “I was late coming to PEEP because I was so scared. People told me it’s not a mother’s club it’s really good and I finally came. I love coming. It’s a great routine for my son, I love routine and it was a way to get out, have a reason, I have to leave the house.”
“It is purpose,” agrees another Mum.
“It is really enjoyable. It’s not a chore to leave the house or anything, you’re looking forward to it.”
Another Mum reflects: “I love PEEP, I think it’s really good. It’s good for the parents and the kids.”
The parents and carers here in Benalla, of varying ages, stages, cultures and backgrounds, all come together with a shared bond. A shared commitment. Deep valley love for their child. PEEP is here to support that valley, by building a village, creating a sense of belonging and nurturing their surrounds.
Article by Sinead Halliday
Take part in Playgroup Victoria’s Peep training HERE
Connect with Peep in Benalla HERE
Learn more about the Peep Learning Together Programme HERE
