How Peep programmes support the home learning environment

Peep is a strengths-based approach to working with families. Key child development ideas are discussed during Peep sessions, including how the ideas relate to families’ experiences. Children’s behaviour, for instance, can become easier for parents to manage or re-focus when they understand a bit more about possible causes. The topic on schemas can provide alternative activities for a child who is exploring throwing things, while ‘Mark making’ helps explain why a child might be swirling their food on the table, and suggests other ideas for making marks (sand, mud, playdough, paintbrush and water on the ground, etc).  The combination of information with practical ideas helps restore parents’ own patience whilst providing their child with more opportunities to develop their skills through play.

Peep sessions also include songs and story time, and simple, low-cost play and talk activities that can be continued at home.  When parents understand more about the benefits of singing, talking, playing and sharing books and stories with their baby or child, and share simple ideas for incorporating them into everyday life, they tend to do more of these valuable activities.

'Peep was very informative and interactive. It has made me more comfortable and confident as a parent. More importantly, I now understand my kids better than before being involved in the sessions.'  Peep parent

The Peep Learning Together Programme was designed to be used flexibly, to suit the needs and interests of all families. Peep sessions can be delivered in groups, in drop-in sessions (e.g. Stay and Plays or child health clinic waiting areas), or in the home or other one-to-one sessions. They can take place indoors, outdoors or online. Peep practitioners (two co-facilitators or a session leader and assistant) decide on the number of sessions in a Peep course, and which of the child development topics to focus on, involving parents' preferences as appropriate.

'Peep was very good. Learnt a lot about the importance of praise and positive feedback, my impact, body language, etc.'  Peep parent

The Peeple principle that ‘relationships are at the heart of learning’ underpins both the practitioner training and Peep sessions with families. Several of the Programme topics focus specifically on supportive and loving parent-child relationships, but nurturing and reflective care underlies all  Peep sessions. Practitioners use the ORIM framework to identify Opportunities, Recognition, Interactions and Modelling that parents are doing with their children, building their knowledge and confidence, and helping to strengthen their relationships. Parents are encouraged to share ideas and activities from the session with other family members at home.  

In feedback, parents often comment on how much they appreciated the friendships and peer‑to-peer support networks that they and their children develop:

'The discussions within the session – it is never rushed or brushed past. Honest conversations with other parents made me feel better on days where I’ve wondered if it was just me feeling a certain way. The staff are very welcoming and put you at ease.'  Peep parent

In our experience, families from all walks of life benefit from getting to know other families and practitioners, sharing practical ideas and experiences with each other, and finding out about other local services. Being seen to be open to all families can reduce the stigma that is sometimes associated with ‘parenting’ groups. The focus in Peep sessions is on supporting children’s  learning and development, which also helps with parents’ sensitivity. As a society we're gradually recognising that groups for parents and children are beneficial for all  families. Cross-sector support such as that provided by Family Hubs can really help break down barriers. 

Peep programmes can also be used or adapted for families with similar needs or circumstances. This might include groups for families due to start nursery or school (transition or school readiness), dads, foster or kinship carers, families with English as an additional language (EAL), parents with post‑natal depression or anxiety, children with delayed speech and language, families with a parent in prison, traveller families, childminders, multiple generations, or families whose children have additional support needs (SEND), etc. While some parents prefer to go to a group that is open to all, others have told us that they find it easier start off with parents that they feel they have more in common with.

Course content can be targeted by age/ developmental stage and/or one or more of the five strands of development. Some Peep practitioners have added in elements that appeal to the families they are working with, such as Peep in the Pool, Cooking Peep or Outdoor Peep. Peep programmes can also be used to complement or follow on from other provision, such as Baby Massage or Peep Antenatal courses, or transition sessions into early years settings.

'Because of Peep I am always looking for opportunities to help my child learn and get new experiences.'  Peep parent

We post Peep activity ideas and tips that support the home learning environment on our Peeple social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, all @PeepleCentre). These are used by parents and practitioners. Peep practitioners can also share Peep handouts on their own social media pages or online groups (e.g. via Whatsapp), as well as printing them.

Peep programmes and delivery are quality assured by:

• our evidence-base, findings from wider research, and our delivery model, described in our theory of change,
• our regularly monitored and reviewed training courses, which focus on enhancing practitioners’ theoretical and practical skills, knowledge and understanding about working with parents to support their children’s development,
• the comprehensive, high-quality Programme resources available to all trained practitioners,
• reflections from our own practitioners, and practitioners we have trained around the UK, Ireland and Australia over the past couple of decades, along with those of the families they have worked with,
• accreditation units available to both practitioners and parents,
• post-course delivery support and sharing of best practice, available to Peep practitioners and organisations, including monthly online practitioner support sessions, Peep Champions network, delivery support newsletters, practitioner Facebook group, refresher training, and Members Area on our website.

‘Peep is fantastic for involving parents in their children's learning. It gives parents more confidence to support their children's learning and take it forward at their child's pace and development level.’  Children’s Centre family support worker

We have trained practitioners from numerous settings and backgrounds, such as family hubs, children's centres, nurseries, pre-schools, schools, health centres, early help, libraries, family learning, psychology, social care, public health, prisons, museums and community centres.  As a charity, we have always prioritised making the training affordable and great value for organisations, providing on-going access to both the Programme materials and delivery support.

Practitioners can be employed or volunteers, including  parents who have gone on to become Peep practitioners, sometimes after completing the Peep Progression Pathway accreditation. Peep delivery can be an opportunity for practitioners from different sectors to work together, sharing their complementary skills and experience with families and each other.

‘I find Peep a huge benefit to both myself and the adults that I work with. It's good fun, factual, and understanding that everyone is in the same boat and trying to be the best parents they can be, and that we can support each other.’  Early childhood practitioner, nursery class