Overview

You make the difference…

…that’s the message The Hanen Centre has been sharing with parents around the world for over 30 years. Research shows that a young child’s language, social and literacy development depends on positive, supportive parent-child interactions. In fact, ordinary, everyday routines like meal time, play time and bath time give parents the best opportunities to promote their child’s early learning and development. Family support professionals have been promoting positive, language-rich, parent-child interactions in their own communities with the help of the You Make The Difference® Program and resources.   

Using the Hanen Approach

The You Make The Difference Parent-Child Communication Program is a community-based, General Education/Prevention program that encourages positive parent-child interactions and is used widely by a variety of professionals, including:

• Infant Development Specialists
• Infant Mental Health specialists
• Social workers
• Parent educators
• Resource teachers
• Early literacy specialists
• Adult Basic Educators (ABEs)
• Professionals in Early Learning/Readiness Programs

Research

You Make The Difference is scientifically grounded, drawing upon research that shows:

• Early experiences are an essential determinant of a child’s development
• How parents interact with their child influences the child’s learning and later developmental outcomes 
• the amount of talk between a child and his caregivers is clearly linked to vocabulary development and school readiness,
• Strong language skills are fundamental to emergent and later literacy skills
• Early identification of delays influences a child’s potential to benefit from intervention
• Community programs can positively benefit both parent and child
• Early support to families can help build children’s resilience
• Accommodating the adult learner is crucial to effective parent education

For more information on You Make The Difference, click here