HIPPY
Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is run in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence and is designed to help prepare children for success in the classroom by equipping them with reading and writing skills in the early schooling years.
Since 2014, Community Spirit Foundation has partnered with the Brotherhood of St Laurence to deliver the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY). HIPPY is designed to help prepare First Nations children for success in the classroom by equipping them with reading and writing skills in the early schooling years. Through the Program, parents’ guide their preschool-age children’s early learning experiences and help them realise success by beginning school, ready to learn.
This two-year program is designed to instill children with the necessary skills to prepare themselves for the classroom in the early years of schooling. HIPPY is a home-based parenting and early childhood enrichment program that works with parents of young children. HIPPY aims to build and strengthen families' connections to and engagements with their local community and to expand their networks and knowledge around local resources.
The fundamental elements of the HIPPY program include:
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Providing children with new learning concepts.
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Increasing the self-confidence of parents as early childhood educators.
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Improving communication between parents and children.
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Creating a smooth transition to school.
All of these elements generate a positive impact on family relationships and educational outcomes.
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HIPPY began on Palm Island with 11 families and 1 tutor in 2014. Since inception, HIPPY has grown through word of mouth. This is a credit to the great trust that has been built in the communities and the mutual respect shared.
Community Spirit Foundation now employs tutors who support up to 50 families in weekly program delivery. With the support of parents, tutors and the community, HIPPY will continue to grow, even greater numbers of children will become school ready. ​
HIPPY is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Social Services.
The Brotherhood of St Laurence holds the licence to operate HIPPY in Australia.
WHY
INDIGENOUS CHILDREN ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO BE DEVELOPMENTALLY VULNERABLE AS NON-INDIGENOUS CHILDREN UPON ENTERING SCHOOL.
what
THROUGH THE EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM OUR TUTORS WORK WITH PARENTS TO GUIDE THEIR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN'S EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND HELP THEIR CHILDREN REALISE SUCCESS BY STARTING SCHOOL READY TO LEARN.