Supporting child development in families marked by social isolation

Free and confidential, Petits:pas in Geneva is a programme for children from 1.5 to 4 years old, who come from socially underprivileged families marked by social isolation. Often, these families are not in contact with the traditional municipal services or childcare institutions.

The main objectives are to support the child’s development by improving parenting skills, to integrate the family within the society, and to ensure families have access to the services they need. These goals are reached through two strategies: 1) social workers, who have experience in working with children and preferably speak the language of the family, visit them at home two to four times a month; and 2) all families participating in the programme are reunited in a meeting group, organized in a park, game library or other space where parents can later return with their children.

While children socialize, parents can discuss. Scientific evaluations have proven that the programme has successfully supported the social, cognitive and emotional skills of children; supported positive relationships and parent-child interaction; facilitated access to local services; and supported the early detection of developmental challenges or difficulties within the family.