Ready to Relate Advocates

Professionals

“These pictures of the faces and hands of young children, with those of their parents and other carers, show the joy of affectionate kindness, of belonging in love, and of pride in shared discovery of meaning in life. They also show the distress of pain or loneliness, the shame of longing for company. The cards give encouragement for gentle patience with sadness or anger, offering reassurance in security and play. There are special rituals and symbols of shared meaning for young children in their particular community, but the emotions that give them energy and value prove the human spirit we are all born with.”
Professor Colwyn Trevarthen, Infant Mental Health Researcher and Theorist

“They will provide a valuable tool for pregnant women and mothers with new babies. They are of real importance for the support they can give to the mother. I do think the cards are great and easy to use.”
Professor Vivette Glover

“Pictures are very helpful – especially when there is a language barrier. This will be helpful for interpreters in their understanding and it would be good for all health visitors to use these at all the visits.”
Interpreter

“This is so fantastic – exactly what we need; this will fit in with the projects and groups we want to run with families and children. This would be perfect for the family support workers.”
Cluster Manager

Parents

“I didn’t know a little baby was able to communicate so much. I wish I had known this with my first child.”
Mother of 6-week-old baby

“I have been talking to my baby and looking into her eyes much more because the health visitor showed me the cards. I think my baby and I are very close because of this.”
Mother of 2-week-old baby

 

Video testimonials

Hear what a father-to-be had to say about the cards and how they helped instill confidence in his future parenting skills.

Parents can influence their baby’s brain development, as relationships affect the brain. Here a new mother talks about how the cards have helped her appreciate that babies are born ready to relate.

A new dad shares how the cards have helped him bond with his baby and how his new-found awareness and approach has helped stimulate his baby’s brain development.

Watch two new mums learn about how mirroring babies’ expressions helps them to feel understood and build healthy relationships.