Through the Looking Glass
Name | Through the Looking Glass |
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Target Audience | Parents |
CfC Objective | Supporting Families and Parents |
Organisation | Gowrie SA |
Delivery Setting | Community–based; early childhood setting |
Description | Through the Looking Glass (TtLG) is a therapeutic parenting program based on attachment theory principles which aims to strengthen attachment relationships between children aged 0- 5 years and their parents/carers in cases where attachment has been compromised. |
Delivered to | Children aged 0-5 years and their parents/carers who have experienced domestic and family violence, abuse or other trauma. |
Delivered by | Social worker, psychologist, allied health professional. TtLG can be co-facilitated by early childhood educators. |
Program Structure | TtLG is delivered in small groups (up to 10 participants) over a period of ten weeks and supplemented by parent/carer-child play sessions. The program uses the concepts within Circle of Security (COS) with the aim of helping parents understand their child’s behaviour and individual needs and communication styles, as well as guiding parents in practice responses to their children. Group sessions also support participants to build trust with each other and create links with community/social services and other families. |
Training | Facilitators must undergo a four-day Circle of Security – Parenting (COSP) course and attend an induction course with experienced facilitators. Circle of Security offers COSP each year in selected Australian states and territories: Gowrie SA provides ongoing mentoring and support and training. |
Cost |
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Contact | Phone: 1800 129 606 or (08) 8234 5219 Email: [email protected] Website: gowriesa.org.au/through-looking-glass |
Evaluation and effectiveness | An earlier model of the TtLG program was evaluated over three years in 2006-2009 using a mixed method approach and included a control group (Alywad and O’Neill, 2009). Evaluation data was obtained using a methodologically triangulated approach which included a series of pre and post-test measurement tools, surveys, interviews, observations from participants and TtLG staff. 126 mothers completed the five-month program and 118 participants completed survey data. The evaluation showed significantly positive results in several areas:
Further, 88% of mothers reported improved child behavior and this was sustained at between 8 and 9 months since completing the project. No formal evaluation of the 10 week program as yet, however the program differs in small ways and key concepts of the original program are intact. Aylward, P & O’Neill, M. (2009). Through the looking glass: A community partnership in parenting. Invest to grow final evaluation report. Adelaide: University of Adelaide and Gowrie SA. Retrieved from: <www.gowriesa.org.au/sites/default/files/TtLG%20final%20report1-8_1.pdf> Aylward, P., Murphy, P., Colmer K. & O'Neil, M. (2010). Findings from an evaluation of an intervention targeting Australian parents of young children with attachment issues: The Through the Looking Glass (TtLG) project. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 35(3), 13-23. |