A novel parent-supported emotional literacy programme for children

This study explores whether a novel parent-supported emotional literacy programme called Parents And Children Together (PACT) is associated with improved social and emotional development for children compared to a standard curriculum. In eight schools in Cornwall, 686 children from Years 3 to 6 and their families participated in the PACT programme, and were compared with 212 peers from four demographically-matched schools who received a standard curriculum. Parents in intervention schools believed that the PACT programme had a significant positive impact on the social and emotional development of their children and improved the partnership with their child's school. Parental ratings of their child's emotional literacy was significantly higher after participation in the programme, and the children rated themselves significantly less likely to need further help in the future than those in the control schools. The implications for comprehensive mental health services are considered, and recommendations made for developing school and home-based emotional literacy programmes. Schools, particularly in deprived areas, should be supported to take part in PACT. School nurses and other community practitioners should play a leading role in these primary prevention and mental health improvement initiatives