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Lynn’s story
Lynn Broughton is an outreach worker at the Stanwell Sure Start Children’s Centre that we run in partnership with Surrey County Council.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Lynn’s work at Stanwell since she arrived in 2009 was an opportunity to train as part of the national initiative, Every Child a Talker - or ECaT for short.
It wasn’t that Lynn, who has nearly 30 years experience of working in childcare, didn’t already appreciate how important it is to encourage communication between parents and even their tiniest babies.
But the training has given her new insights into the reasons why that communication doesn’t always come so easily to some mothers and fathers, and ideas for new ways to help.
“It’s often about very simple, basic but important things like making eye contact with your child, facial expressions and speaking slowly,” said Lynn.
Lynn and her colleagues encourage parents to lead by example so that babies and children learn by responding.
Lynn is planning regular trips to the local library for parents and children, as a way of fostering the enjoyment of books and shared storytimes.
“Parents may feel intimidated by going into a library for the first time. We want to help break down that sort of barrier,” said Lynn.
My life with the Surrey Care Trust
“Good communication is often about very basic but important things like making eye contact with your child."
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