Childhood Development Initiative

A great couple of days for our Chit Chat Speech & Language team!

Our Senior Speech and Language Therapists, Caitríona Geraghty and Niamh Egan, attended the Biennial Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) Conference in Portlaoise.

It was also a wonderful opportunity to connect in person with fellow Child and Family Agency - Tusla Area Based Childhood Programme (ABC) Speech and Language Therapists from across the country.

CDI's Chit Chat programme supports young children and their families in developing speech, language, and communication skills. Designed as an early intervention service, it brings together education, health, and childcare services to make support more accessible for families who need it most.

Chit Chat works at three levels
1. Universal — for all children and families
2. Targeted — for those who need a little extra support
3. Specialist — for children with identified needs

We work in partnership with parents, early years services, and primary schools to help little ones build their listening, understanding, and speaking skills — right from the start.

This week, it was a pleasure to host team members from the Offaly Traveller Movement (OTM) at CDI. They are fellow awardees of the Rethink Ireland Brighter Futures Fund, which aims to improve mental health and wellbeing for marginalised groups in Ireland.

We provided an overview of CDI's Youth Mental Health programme, Nova, and our Restorative Practices programme, and discussed how both organisations could collaborate going forward. We look forward to continuing these talks.

I am regularly amazed by my colleagues here at CDI and by how much they manage to fit into their roles and working weeks! That can only be done when you are passionate about what you do and dedicated to delivering the best for the communities you work with.

Here are two of our Parent Carer Facilitators, Claire and Joy, who are running a Circle of Security group for parents at Killinarden Family Resource Centre over the next eight weeks. The Circle of Security approach helps caregivers build secure, trusting relationships by recognising children’s emotional needs and responding with both support and safe boundaries.

Joy is one of our Home Visitors, visiting expectant and new mums in their homes and offering support and guidance to mums and dads during those early days of parenting.

Claire is one of our Parent Carer Facilitators working in an Early Childhood Education Centre. She works directly with parents and carers and is available to support them with the many challenges they may face.

Learn more about our Powerful Parenting Programme here:
CDI Powerful Parenting Programme

Today is World Maternal Mental Health Day!
One in four mothers experiences mental health difficulties.

Motherhood is a journey filled with love, but it‘s not always easy. Many mothers struggle quietly.

When we see, listen, and gently step in, we make space for real support.

Videos, podcasts and additional resources are available at www.motherhood.ie

HSE Ireland

Our Powerful Parenting Programme supports parents from pregnancy through to when their child turns five, working alongside families across Tallaght through our dedicated team of Parent Carer Facilitators (PCFs).

Our Parent Carer Facilitator, Leanne, co-hosted an Open Day at An Cosán St Anne’s — a great opportunity for families to experience what An Cosán St Anne’s is like — a warm, welcoming and engaging environment.

Children enjoyed a taster session of the Bia Blasta Programme, while parents had the chance to learn more about what CDI offers. Our Speech and Language Therapist, Niamh, spoke with families about communication development and the supports available, and Leanne shared information about the Powerful Parenting Programme — including practical ways to support children’s learning and development at home.

If you are a parent, carer, or service provider in Tallaght and would like to learn more about the Powerful Parenting Programme, we’d love to hear from you.