Case study: Passport to Confidence

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Passport to Confidence involves schools within the Beckfoot Trust in Bradford working together to improve the communication and language skills of 0-5-year-olds and increase parental confidence in helping their children develop these skills.

Following the project pilot, parents say their confidence has grown significantly, enabling them to play a more effective role in their children’s education.

And almost all early years children taking part in a Passport to Confidence had achieved the expected standard for communication and language skills by the conclusion of the pilot.

One participating parent said: “My son has a routine now. After his dinner, he asks me for his box of activities and sits with me to complete two every day. I let him choose and he lets his younger sister join in too. I have gained a lot of confidence in delivering these activities due to all the practice and support I have received during the sessions.”

A skilled early years teacher leads sessions, showing parents activities they can do with their children. Parents were also shown how they could share the activities with other parents.

Project lead Jaswinder “Jas” Kaur said: “Initially parents were shy and unsure but gained confidence with practice.”

Jas created “how-to guides” to support the parents in leading the sessions.

She said: “The support they have for each other will ensure that those who are less confident in leading the session can still participate and possibly entice other, quieter parents.”

The parents taking part are keen for the sessions to continue. One said: “We really felt as a group that we needed to continue this and have started our own Friends of Phoenix group hoping that other parents can join and learn all that Jas has taught us during the past months.”

The Beckfoot Trust is keen to continue building the established practice into its work. It will continue to connect the parents with one another and their schools, building their confidence and, in turn, improving the communication and language skills of their children.