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The way that babies feel about themselves is influenced by their relationships with the important people in their life. Their self‑esteem and confidence are built through positive, loving and caring interactions with others – right from the very beginning, and long before they can talk.  This also gives them the secure base they need to explore their world and become a confident learner. 

You can't beat getting together with other families and practitioners to share parenting ideas and experiences - but there are also lots of ideas and information online. Here are a few:

>  Peep social media pages - all @PeepleCentre -  Facebook ~  Instagram  ~  Twitter

>  CBeebies' The Baby Club and The Toddler Club - lots of episodes and songs available on the BBC iPlayer, with more being filmed.  We've loved being education consultants for these fab series since the beginning. 

>  BBC Tiny Happy People - lots of great video clips of activities and info, filmed with families. 

>  Parenting across Scotland - links for free parenting programmes (and other info) across Scottish local authorities.

>  Sure Start Partnerships in Northern Ireland - Northern Ireland Sure Starts focus on supporting parents from pregnancy to school with their children's learning skills, health and well-being, and social and emotional development.

>  England - The government in England doesn't currently have a centralised webpage with info or links to local Children's Centres (previously known as Sure Start) or Family Hubs. However, Family Hubs are replacing (or re-naming) children's centres, so more will probably appear on the Family Hubs Network website.  Local councils also have links to their children's centres and/or family hubs, as well as local Family Information Directories, which provide information about local services.

> Dadvengers - blogs, podcasts and free weekly get-togethers (via instagram live) from Nigel Clarke (The Baby Club presenter and Peep Ambassador), to support dads on their journey through parenthood. 

> Play.hooray - lots of playful early learning ideas on Instagram from Peep ambassador Claire.

'Ready and...' is one of the favourite songs in our Peep groups. The babies and toddlers love the simple tune and actions - and it's amazing how much they're learning at the same time.

Once they've got to know the song, your baby or toddler will start to know what's going to happen next - you might notice it in their face, as they wait during the pause then laugh or look excited as you lift them (or their arms) up and down. Understanding 'what happens next' is an important life skill as children get older.

Action songs are also a great way for young children to learn what words mean, as they move up and down, side to side, backwards and forwards.

If you're not sure of the tune, here's a link: > Ready and...  or just make up your own tune.  You can find this and other songs on our Singing Together 1 Songbook/ CD/ MP3.

Our four-minute 'What is Peep?' video shows Peep groups with families, babies and toddlers, and you'll hear from Peep practitioners and parents:

You can also see a shorter 2-minute version here: 'What is Peep? Two-minute snapshot video'

Peep groups are for parents and carers and their young children - some are for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers (3-5) or young school-age children, while others are for mixed age children. 

In Peep groups, practitioners and families share ideas and simple, low-cost activities that support your child’s learning in everyday life - talking, singing, sharing books and playing together. They're also a great way to get to know other families.

As a parent or carer, your baby or child will already be learning so much from you, as you chat, play, sing, cuddle, and do all your usual day-to-day activities. Research shows that these things that you do together have a big impact on how children's brains develop in these early years, and on how they get on at school and in later life. 

By emphasising the importance of parents, it doesn't mean that it's your fault if things don't always turn out as you hoped! There are lots of influences and things going on in children's and our busy lives. It doesn't matter how you got on at school, or whether you're a stay-at-home parent/carer or you go out to work - you're just as important to your child. There's no such thing as a perfect parent - being a parent or carer is about enjoying the up times and helping each other through the down times, not about feeling guilty.

Peeple is a not-for-profit charity. We developed the Peep Learning Together Programme and the Peep Antenatal Programme, and we train practitioners from around the UK, Ireland and Australia. Contact your local children's or family centre or hub, nursery or family information service, to see if there are Peep sessions near you.

We share tips and ideas to support children's development on our social media pages -  @PeepleCentre on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Do join us there, or check out a few Peep tips here. You can also find some parents' experiences here.

'Finally I am folding up my stretchy songband professionally after starting my first Peep Group in 2003. Apart from ageing a wee bit, and making sure my grandchildren love a song, I have loved every bit of my adventure with the Peeple organisation that is now all grown up.

As an educational psychologist for almost 40 years, my challenge was always to help people see how practical experience and insight into early learning builds trusting relationships, confidence and a hunger for education. When I started my journey, education and psychology were in a very different place.

Early years and disability were always my passion. Peep helped me forge a new relationship with families. I found my Peep groups helped parents - who might be feeling temporarily lost and overwhelmed by the enormity of parenting - find solutions, through our joint experience, not my ‘expert’ knowledge. It was a very important lesson for me to work collaboratively to find solutions, and made me a better psychologist.

Through it all I have met wonderful people committed to making every single persons’ lot the best experience possible. There have been many changes for Peep along the way, some I have liked and some I have questioned!  Training, materials, delivery, research, to name just a few, have been scrutinised and developed. This has always been done with the unswerving knowledge that making a difference to parents, carers and families - together with those working in Early Years in their communities - is the only way forward in developing a literate, numerate and socially resilient society.

At this point I could wax lyrical about the funny experiences I have had, and am reminded I frequently did just that on my training courses. Recently my experience has been over the internet, which breaks down regularly around me, but to my surprise it is possible to connect with group leaders and infuse them with my passion for all that is Peep. I am in awe of the continuing ingenuity of practitioners to engage with the families around them and help spread the word and learning around child development in such an accessible way.

There have been many moments that have shown me the excitement that comes from recognising that an opportunity offered and modelled in an interaction has helped a child and parent know or do something more often. That helps everyone feel good about themselves and their achievements.  That smile, that understanding, that job well done gives immeasurable pleasure even when the world seems to be hard to negotiate. I know I have been a ‘good enough’ advocate for Peep and sometimes just managed to be the best I can be.

Keep using the best educational resource of things to do with children from 0 - 5 ever put together, that is the Peep Learning Together Programme - and spread the word.  Good luck, have fun and know you are making a difference. It has been a privilege to be a small part of what has been achieved.'

by Anne Littlefair, (retired) Peep Practitioner, Peep Trainer and Educational Psychologist 

Many thanks to Anne from all of us at Peeple, for all your amazing work with Peep families, your passion, your invaluable role as a critical friend and advocate, and for helping to train and inspire the next generation of Peep practitioners!