Uniqueness

 “Joint engagement” is the core idea of WHO-CST and an important cornerstone for children to develop language and social skills, and skills of learning new things in the future. “Synchronize” with the children, which is also the meaning of “Synchronize” in the Chinese name of WHO-CST (星語童遊).

10 parent-child interactive skills

• The localised WHO-CST has 10 interactive skills, including attention, persistence, sitting, picking, liking, following, demonstrating, speaking, requesting and sharing. Simply from how to set up a parent-child environment, to teach parents to integrate into their children’s games, then finally to create opportunities for children to pro-actively communicate with parents. 
• Parents can improve children’s ability to pay attention to and participate in activities with others anytime and anywhere. The interactive skills in the course are very practical and also suitable for ordinary parents.

Appropriate social behaviour and learn new skills

• WHO-CST will let parents learn and understand how to communicate with their children through behaviour, then teach them to use appropriate methods to respond to their children.
• Parents will also learn how to break down new skills taught into smaller steps to teach children to learn gradually.

Care of the well-being of caregivers

• The Programme encourages caregivers to take care of themselves through different physical and spiritual exercises. Caregivers can then have room to take break through practising in daily live.
• Participating parents will be divided into groups and each group member becomes parents’ fellow. Sharing, support and encouragement in each group can let parents understand their own abilities and efforts, and prioritise their own physical and spiritual health.  When they believe that if they feel empowered, they can then better support, not only the children but a wider family network.