Five to Thrive Coventry
Every day brings many opportunities to give babies, children and young people the emotional nurture they need to develop healthy brains. Emotional nurture (five to thrive) feeds the brain, just as physical nurture (five a day) feeds the body.
The Five to Thrive Approach is based on a set of five key activities (respond, cuddle, relax, play and talk) that are the building blocks of healthy brains and emotional development.
- Five to Thrive - Antenatal booklet
- Five to Thrive - A guide to help parents and carers understand the things they do every day that support their child's brain development
- Five to Thrive - Toddler booklet
- Five to Thrive - Booklet for parents/carers of children with S.E.N.D
- Five to Thrive - Booklet for parents/carers - Polish language
More than 90% of what we know about the human brain has been discovered in the last 20 years - research in neuroscience is transforming how we think about human beings.
One of the key findings is that people need people. We humans have a very long childhood because we have such a big and complex brain to build. Children depend on adults to nurture them. It is relationships with adults that build the brains of children and young people. This booklet explores how all humans need connected relationships to build healthy brains.
Baby Five to Thrive
We now offer a brand new programme for parents/carers and their baby called Baby Five to Thrive. This includes 5 sessions where you will learn about the 5 things your baby needs for development each week and lots of opportunities to relax and play with your baby!
Email: parenting@coventry.gov.uk to find out when and where the next Baby Five to Thrive group is!
The Newborn Brain
Did you know your baby’s brain doubles in size in the first year of their life?
Your baby starts life with around one hundred billion brain cells. By the time they are one year old their brain will already be two-thirds the size of an adult brain, but children's brains are not fully developed until around the age of 25 years! Brain development and emotional health are just as important as physical health to ensure our children can live happy and fulfilled lives.
Emotional Regulation, Empathy and Relationships
Five to Thrive is also an approach that can help parents to help their children when they are experiencing strong emotions due to challenges. Babies and children are not born knowing how to calm down after experiencing emotions like disappointment, anger or sadness. They need a calm and connected adult to help them to regulate their emotions. This series of videos demonstrates the Five To Thrive Approach in action at different ages and stages and how as parents we can support our children's emotional health.