Lesson Duration: 15 minutes

Overall Objectives

1. To familiarize clients to structure, organization, and expectations of the parentcraft schedule and programme.
2. To acquaint clients with trainers and other participants.

Objective:

Clients will be able to list topics covered in the programme.

Icebreaker: Baby Names

• Trainer will state her name and choose a baby name and state why it was chosen.
• Clients are invited to do likewise.

Introduction

The Ministry of Health and Environment of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is charged with the responsibility to provide healthcare for the nation, so that all citizens maintain the best overall health possible. In order to achieve this, a renewed emphasis has been placed on preventative healthcare. Much work was put into the development of a National Health Services Strategic Plan (NHSSP) 2002 –2004, so that maximum health could be reached by all citizens.

In the Maternal and Child Health Area, under which the Parentcraft Education Project falls, special emphasis has been placed on reducing the infant sickness and death rates. One of several approaches to achieve this is the development of a comprehensive parentcraft programme for antenatal and postnatal clients. The National Health Services Strategic Plan identified the need for the involvement of fathers.

During June/July 2001 a survey was conducted among antenatal clients and Nurse/Midwives who provided parentcraft education. The survey sought to determine the views of the clients and providers regarding the importance and benefits of the parentcraft programme. Overall, the clients felt that the current and proposed topics would be helpful to them and providers felt that the clients would benefit.

Parentcraft education aims to teach parents and prospective parents a basic understanding of reproduction and foetal development. It develops skills that help facilitate how to care for themselves so that they remain in the best health possible during pregnancy, while ensuring safe deliveries and healthy babies. Additionally, parents learn after-care for themselves and their infants following delivery. Information regarding child development is also taught in the expanded curriculum. Parentcraft education seeks to include the father role and to teach skills so that parents are better able to adjust to the task of parenting and the changes brought about in family relationships. Skills learned through parentcraft classes also provide a base of knowledge to parents that improve future health practices, for example, how to maintain eating a healthy diet and improved infant care.

Each cycle is made up of 8 lessons at the end of which you will receive a certificate of attendance once you have completed at least 6 of the classes.

The classes will be held at your very own clinic where you receive your antenatal care.

Trainer will list the lessons and clients will be encouraged to ask questions.