Principles at the heart of the Parent-Child Mother Goose program

Parent-Child Mother Goose Australia participants

While adaptations can be made to suit particular user groups and settings, the following elements are essential to a Parent-Child Mother Goose Program and must be incorporated in order to use the name and be a part of our network:

The P-CMGP is a group program in which parents/caregivers take part together with their infants or young children. Teaching is directed to the adults. The children participate as is appropriate to their stage of development and inclination.
Activity focuses on interactive rhymes, stories, and songs, all presented orally or, in the Auslan (Australian Sign Language) Parent-Child Mother Goose Program, through the air. Printed versions of the rhymes and songs are supplied at the end of a series of meetings when the participants have had time to internalise some of the material and use it in their everyday lives. No toys or objects are used.
Storytelling is an integral part of the program with the stories being chosen and told for the enjoyment of the adults. Stories which the parents can learn and tell to their children may also be included.
The pace is slow and relaxed with plenty of time for repetition of material and casual discussion of issues and questions that arise. The atmosphere is accepting and supportive, with the intention of building the confidence of all participants, and creating a feeling of community and mutual support within the group.
Program facilitators are trained in the principles, materials and methods needed to run the program effectively. Each program has at least two facilitators who share all teaching duties and take time together after each session to discuss their observations of the interactions within the group, to review and make notes on the session activities, and to plan the next session based on their observations and the perceived needs of participants.
Groups are small enough to ensure that the needs of individuals as well as of the group as a whole can be met. In order for adults to relax and participate fully in the group, an assistant may be available to supervise walking children in the Infant program, and for childcare in a playroom during storytelling in the Two-to-Four Program.
The Program is aimed at families in need of support for any of a variety of reasons. There is no cost to the parents who participate.