“Let’s Talk about Children” (LTC) is an approach that empowers parenting and helps prevent mental health challenges in children. “Let’s Talk About Children” is evidence-based, developed in Finland, and aims to support families in preventing everyday obstacles from becoming mental health issues. A crucial part of “Let’s Talk About Children” is a supportive conversation between the specialist and the parent, fostering understanding of how the child is doing, how the process of growing together is progressing, and how to manage changes together.
„LTC helps parents to receive support and understanding, enabling them to support their child“
During the conversation, strengths, resources, and everyday solutions are identified for children, parents, specialists working with children and the family’s close network. The approach aims to build a shared understanding between parents, the child and other important persons in the child´s life and to find ways of working together to promote wellbeing and prevent problems.
„With the help of structured questions, it is possible to discuss difficult topics in a caring way.“
Where the LTC can be used?
LTC can be used by professionals from various fields who work with parents and/or children.
A crucial goal of the Let’s Talk about Children intervention is to make the child´s everyday life as good as possible at home, in early childhood education, in school and leisure environments (so-called development environments), considering the child´s specific needs and life situations.
LTC in early education and school settings
LTC is used to build a comprehensive understunding of the child and his/her situation in everyday life, and to plan action based on the understunding. LTC is a tool for both the parents and e.g teachers. The aim is to build a collaborative realtionship based on respect and mutual support.
When the everyday of the child needs more support, the discussion continues into creating network around the child and their family (the network meeting)
LTC in adult and child services
The LTC intervention in adult health and social services takes as a starting point the issues that bring the parent to seek help in the services. The LTC offers parents an opportunity to reflect on the family situation and to find ways to support the child in the everyday life of the child (an action plan)
In child services, the LTC is used to deepen the understanding about the child´s and family´s everyday life and current situation and aim at providing support for parents.
When the everyday life of the child needs more support, the discussion continues into creating network around the child and their family (the LTC network meeting).
How to Talk About Children?
LTC methodology provides the specialist with a concrete, step-by-step framework. LTC is a tool for specialists to promote the family’s own coping mechanisms and helps to focus on daily actions and the family’s resources.
The core principles of RL are:
- Parents are the ones who know their family best. A respectful and equal conversation is key to LTC.
- The resilience and well-being of families start with everyday life and its organization through the creation of shared understanding.
„LTC is not a tool for assessing the child! During LTC adults evaluate their own ability to support the child’s everyday life and ensure their well-being.“
Why talk about children?
Mental health issues can be prevented, and early intervention can reduce health-related harm.
It is known that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) significantly impact children’s mental and physical health, increasing the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as physical illnesses. In addition, they can lead to behavioral problems and risk-taking behaviors that affect children’s social relationships and educational achievements. However, this knowledge is still not enough considered in various settings that support children’s lives and development or in the provision of services.
„No child should be left alone with their worries, especially when a parent is experiencing life challenges. When a parent seeks help, it is critically important to always discuss how the children are coping in that situation“
As a preventive approach, LTC offers:
– a mindset for preventing intergenerational problems and an opportunity to focus on children’s well-being across all services and developmental environments, including schools, kindergartens etc.
– a methodology to support the resilience of children and young people, building protective factors to foster the ability to cope with life’s possible challenges.
The Let´s Talk about Children has been proved to be:
Effective – a positive result in children with depression and anxiety symptoms, and a positive social behaviour.
Safe – Does not Increase Parent Anxiety, Depression, Shame, Stigma, or child Concerns.
Feasible – Suitable for family and service culture.
