Benefits for Families
Children’s earliest and most powerful learning comes from their family, so HIPPY helps build parents’ skills and confidence in their role as their child’s first teacher.
HIPPY parents work through weekly or fortnightly packs of play-based, educational activities with their child. They receive activities and support from a local Tutor either:
- in their home or more suitable place; or
- at a group meeting with other parents to share experiences and activities.
The activities give parents valuable, focussed one-on-one time with their child; and, throughout the two-year program, parents learn about their child's learning style.
Parents also receive guidance on child development, how to empower and give their child confidence to learn; and support their child’s transition and engagement with school.
Out of the families graduating from HIPPY in 2019:
A HIPPY Story
My son and I have had such a wonderful experience being part of the HIPPY program. He’s gained so much confidence. I believe he’s succeeded as well as he has at school due to being a part of HIPPY. It was wonderful to see that the Age 5 program complemented the school curriculum the way it did, so if he didn’t quite grasp the concept the first time, he was given another chance to reinforce the concepts he was learning. My relationship with him has grown over the last two years and we’ve loved spending so much time together. We’ve shared lots of laughs and learnt a lot about each other. He is very proud of his HIPPY work. He was so excited about being in the paper for our Age 5 Graduation that he couldn’t wait to take the article to school to show his teacher and friends. I’m very grateful for HIPPY as it got me back into the workforce after being at home for three years after relocating. HIPPY has not only given me my confidence back but taught me so much about myself as a mum, a teacher and as a person. I have learned some wonderful new skills through being a Home Tutor and met some amazing people from all over our community. I finished my two-year HIPPY journey today and HIPPY has opened so many doors for me. I’m now looking forward to working at the crèche that is operated by the same organisation that provides HIPPY in our community.
Story from a HIPPY parent
Benefits of HIPPY for families
HIPPY promotes greater levels of family interaction between HIPPY parents and their children by:
- supporting families to develop a home environment that encourages the development of a love of learning, literacy and numeracy skills;
- supporting HIPPY parents to be actively involved in the education of their children; and
- supporting HIPPY parents to feel confident to apply these skills to other children.
Research
The Nest action agenda (ARACY) states:
"We need to recognise parents are the first and most important teachers in a child’s life and they have the most significant influence on a child’s learning, development and wellbeing outcomes."
Improving the wellbeing of Australia’s children and youth while growing our GDP by over 7% Second edition, March 2014