Calls for children’s ‘early years’ strategy to assist in emotional development

Tusla has called for an early years strategy that is more beneficial in assisting families and children than childcare alone.

During a conference in Dublin Castle, the chief executive of Tusla Fred McBride, said a plan is needed to build a programme that helps very young children experience positive attachment to their parents.

“That is the period [their first three years] in which their brains grow quicker than at any other stage in their life and there is physiological research to absolutely prove that things like eye-to-eye contact, skin-to-skin contact, hugs, and cuddles help children’s brains to grow.”

According to the Irish Times, McBride also said the days of the State holding all the answers to our problems “has to go.” He stressed the importance of involvement and participation from the community:

“The solutions usually lie within families and our role should be to help families to arrive at their own solutions.”

He also spoke about how Ireland can look to other countries and model successful practises in helping parents to connect with their babies particularly in the weeks after birth, and help to develop lasting emotional bonds.