Welcome to the World of Infant Brain Development

South Tyneside Family Hubs are offering a new and exciting opportunity to parents and carers to learn more about the importance of bonding in a child's early life.

The Hubs have joined forces with training provider GroBrain to explore bonding and brain development and the vital role parents and carers play in 'wiring up' the connections in their baby's brain.

This 'brain wiring' lays the foundation for emotional wellbeing and the way emotions will be handled in later life. In particular, the sessions will examine the importance of the first 1001 days from conception to two years in developing emotionally healthy infants.

The four-week, two-hour activity will be delivered in Family Hubs and is aimed at parents and carers of babies from pre-birth to 12 months. Families are encouraged to bring their baby along to each interactive session.

The topics that will be covered at the sessions include the different areas of the brain, how parents and carers can help develop the connections in a baby's brain, the importance of the stress response and the development of secure attachments.

Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children's and Families' Social Care, said: "Responsive caregiving in the early years of a child's life is essential for healthy brain development. It also lays the foundations for lifelong emotional health and wellbeing.

"Parenting is an incredibly difficult job, and one that comes without any instructions. These sessions will hopefully help parents and carers to understand more about the importance of their relationships with their current and future children."

Free goody bags and information packs will be presented to families upon completion of the course.

The GroBrain sessions will initially take place at the following Hubs, with more availability coming in January 2024:

Ridgeway Family Hub, Fridays, 9.30am to 11.30am

• 10 November
• 17 November
• 24 November 
• 1 December

Bede Family Hub, Tuesdays, 9.30am to 11.30am

• 21 November 
• 28 November 
• 5 December
• 12 December  

South Tyneside Family Hubs cater for every family living in the borough, from conception through to 19 years and up to 25 years for young people with additional needs.

They work in partnership to bring together a wide range of services for children, young people and families including:

• Free activities for children and young people
• Advice, information and support for parents and carers
• Infant feeding support
• Weekly groups and activities for young people and / or families focussing on health and wellbeing
• Information, advice and groups providing mental health support
• Early language support

To book your place on a GroBrain course or to find out more, contact your local Family Hub on 0800 783 4645 or email familyhubs@southtyneside.gov.uk.

To find out more about activities within the Hubs, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/familyhubs.