Babies
Here at Northside we love babies! A baby's brain grows most rapidly in the first twelve months of life. Research has shown that by creating a secure and loving attachment with their caregivers, babies will have many advantages in life. We want to provide programmes and activities that supports your loving relationship with your baby.
Parenting Programmes
Are you interested joining a parenting programme where you can meet other parents; develop your parenting skills and explore solutions to the challenges we meet as parents? We have parenting programmes that focus on all the various stages of our children’s lives. For the babies we have:
Baby Massage
Touch is one of the most significant and nurturing early experiences your baby will have. Research has shown that these early experiences can affect many aspects of our lives. Nurturing touch has long-term benefits and can impact how we think, feel, and relate to others, and most importantly, how we value and care for ourselves. Infant massage greatly enhances the early bonding relationship between parents/caregivers and their babies. By using gentle, tactile stimulation along with loving verbal communication, a wonderful bonding experience is shared. Strokes can be either stimulating or relaxing, depending on your baby’s needs and developmental level.
All parents are welcome with babies who are not yet crawling.
For further information on baby massage check out https://www.babymassageireland.com/
To sign-up or find out more complete our confidential contact form and one of our staff will be in touch.
To find out when our next programme is on just click on our calendar.
Gentle Touch Reflexology
Reflexology is a beautiful therapy to enhance nurturing relationships with your little one, developing a sense of security and attachment. You can introduce reflexology to your child at any stage and enjoy the immediate benefits. Reflexology is a safe and effective therapy to use with babies and children, encouraging health and wellbeing, promoting bonding and comforting, soothing digestive complaints, and boosting the immune system. It can be used anywhere and at any time of the day or become part of the bedtime routine encouraging a restful sleep.
For Further information on gentle touch reflexology check out http://loveparenting.ie/reflexology/
To sign-up or find out more complete our confidential contact form and one of our staff will be in touch.
To find out when our next programme is on just click on our calendar.
Incredible Years Parent and Baby Programme
The Incredible Years Parent and Baby Programme is an 8 week programme for parents & their babies that focus on the child's first year of life. The Incredible Years Infant programme supports parents and their babies in the following ways:
- learning how to observe and read babies’ cues and signals;
- understanding babies as intelligent learners;
- learning about ways to provide physical and tactile stimulation for babies and its importance for brain development;
- understanding the importance of finding time for oneself to renew energy for parenting and build peer support networks.
Parents learn about different ways to make their babies feel loved, safe and secure and how to encourage their baby’s physical and language development
Target Group: Parents of children aged 0-12 months. (Baby also attends).
Duration: 8 weeks x 2.5 hours
To sign-up or find out more complete our confidential contact form and one of our staff will be in touch.
To find out when our next programme is on just click on our calendar.
Circle of Security Parenting Programme
We have all felt clueless about what our child might need from us. Being able to make sense of what your child is really asking of you supports the relationship between you both. The Circle of Security Parenting Programme provides a space where secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.
Using the Circle of Security model, our trained Facilitators work with you to:
- Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs
- Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
- Enhance the development of your child's self esteem
- Honour the innate wisdom and desire for their child to be secure
Target Group: for parents of new-borns- 8 years
Duration: 8 weeks x 2 hours
To sign-up or find out more complete our confidential contact form and one of our staff will be in touch.
To find out when our next programme is on just click on our calendar.
The Parent and Toddler Group
The Parent and Toddler Group is a space for pre-school children to explore, socialise and build relationships through both structured and unstructured play. Parents are supported to engage in fun activities with their children while also finding time to have a coffee and a scone with other grown-ups!
Many parents find the group a great space for building relationships with other parents and finding support for everyday parenting. It’s also a great way to find out what else is happening locally for parents and children.
The group meets every Thursday from 10am to 12pm in Northside Family Resource Centre, Clonconnane Road, Ballynanty.
Parents are asked to contribute €2 a week to go towards the costs of refreshments and toys.
To sign-up or find out more complete our confidential contact form and one of our staff will be in touch.
Parenting Support Workshop
We invite speakers in to the centre to give informative talks to parents and carers throughout the year. These are usually two- hour workshops: some are held in the morning and others in the evening to suit parents with different schedules. These talks have been on topics such as Emotional Regulation, ADHD, Child Development, baby weaning and paediatric first aid. We have also explored topics such as healthy nutrition and diet for families and held workshops on parent/child mental health. We advertise these workshops on our website and our Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/northsidefrc/).
To sign-up or find out more complete our confidential contact form and one of our staff will be in touch.
To find out when our next programme is on just click on our calendar.
