The Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) is delighted to have secured the prestigious Marie Sklodowska – Curie Actions (MSCA) grant enabling us to undertake state of the art research on Parental Engagement and Relationships in Early Childhood (PEAR) starting in May 2020 to conclude in April 2022. Parental support and engagement in early years can have […]
A Homeless Christmas
On Sunday 29th December, that often dreary in-between period when most of us have eaten and drunk too much, and are wondering how on earth we will find the motivation and appetite to get through the required gluttony of New Years’ Eve, a group of volunteers from Tallaght hosted a party for almost 90 families […]
75% of Children in Dublin 24 signed up to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
February 14, 2020: More than 5,000 children – 75% of all 0-5 year olds in Dublin 24 – have signed up to a local free book scheme being supported by Dolly Parton, since it was launched one year ago today. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) project is being coordinated by the Tallaght based Childhood […]
Call for greater supports for families of prisoners
December 19, 2019: A call has been made for parenting support initiatives in prisons and communities to improve outcomes for children with a parent in prison. The research report launched today identifies the negative impacts on families, particularly children, of imprisonment of a parent – and the potential to address these through parenting and family supports […]
One third of teenagers in Tallaght face mental health difficulties
December 18, 2019: Up to one third of young people in the Tallaght region experience mental health difficulties and face a major gap in accessing services – according to new research on youth mental health. The report, commissioned by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) and carried out by Trinity College Dublin, researched the needs of 12 […]
Restorative Practices in schools can help prevent homelessness
November 13, 2019: The Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) would like to highlight a solution to a problem identified in research carried out by DCU and the Peter McVerry Trust. The research found that more than 50% of the homeless men it surveyed had in their past experienced suspension or expulsion from school, which resulted in […]
Children’s Dental Workshops brighten up smiles in Tallaght
November 5, 2019: A drive is underway to improve kids dental health in Tallaght, after research has shown that many children have poor dental health. Furthermore, there is currently no HSE Dental Hygienist covering the Tallaght area – so the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) has teamed up with a special children’s dental awareness programme called […]
Tallaght mothers attend breastfeeding information morning
October 14, 2019: Breastfeeding mothers, and mums to be, in Tallaght attended a special ‘meet and greet’ and health information morning, as part of Tallaght Welcomes Breastfeeding. More than 40 breastfeeding mothers attended the event at the Civic Theatre, as well as expectant mothers and grandmothers. The event was part of the Tallaght Welcomes Breastfeeding […]
CDI awards first-ever Restorative Practice ‘Champions’ Certs
October 7th, 2019: The Tallaght based Childhood Development Initiative has awarded the first-ever Restorative Practices ‘Champion’ certs to 20 community leaders. Many of the recipients were Tallaght based and the awards took place at the CDI Office with veteran Restorative Practices (RP) ambassador Fr. Peter McVerry and CDI Chair Dr. Suzanne Guerin of UCD. In […]
Childhood Development Initiative attends national showcase to share learning and plan for the future
October 3, 2019: The country’s 12 Area Based Childhood (ABC) prevention and early intervention programmes, including the Childhood Development Initiative, attended a national showcase on what has been achieved to date and to plan for the future. The Tallaght based Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) presented an information stand on its work led by CEO, Marian […]