Parent Start – The Program

Goals and Methods

Parent Start has been specially developed for mothers and fathers for the time covering pregnancy until their baby’s first birthday. The course is based on modern findings from the areas of developmental psychology and infant research.

The goal of this course is to provide support for young parents to build a positive and developmentally encouraging relationship with their newborn. Furthermore, the course aims to prevent common insecurities and to prepare parents for life with a child and the accompanying developmental challenges.

Through information, conversations, and videos, new and soon-to-be parents will gain knowledge and skills that will help them become competent, secure, and ready for their new daily routine:

• Knowledge about their baby’s needs, and how babies see the world and process new impressions

• Knowledge about the meaning of their baby’s signals

• Suggestions about how new parents can organize their daily routines and environment, and how to cope with stress

Origin and Development of the Program

"Parent Start" was developed by Prof. Dr. Barbara Reichle from the Ludwigsburg University of Education (Germany), PD Dr. Ute Ziegenhain (Clinic for Child and Youth Psychiatry, University Clinic Ulm, Germany), and their co-workers.

"Parent Start – The beginning counts" is a further development of the parental education program "The beginning counts – A course for first parents", which was developed on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, Social Welfare, Health, Family, and Women of the State Rhineland-Palatinate.

"Parent Start – The beginning counts" is funded by the Köhler Foundation, who is a member of the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft (Association of Founders for the Promotion of Science and Humanities in Germany).