The course is suitable for babies aged 2 to 12 months.
PEKiP – Prague Parent–Child Programme
Why Prague? The psychologist Dr. Koch, who worked in Prague in the 1960s, laid the foundations for today’s PEKiP courses through his scientific research. His work focused in particular on babies’ development and learning in their first year of life in connection with movement. The educational concept of the PEKiP group was subsequently further developed in Germany, among others by Dr. Ruppelt. In 1973, the first PEKiP group took place in Essen. As a result, for over 30 years now, young parents in Germany – and meanwhile also in Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland – have been taking part in PEKiP groups with their babies.
PEKiP is an educational concept for mothers and fathers with their babies during the first year of life. From the 8th week of life until the baby’s first birthday, parents and baby can take part in weekly sessions. A PEKiP group consists of six to eight babies with their parents and ideally remains constant throughout the entire first year of life, meaning that the same babies and adults meet each time. The group usually meets once a week for 90 minutes under the guidance of a qualified PEKiP group leader.
The group room is kept warm, as the babies are encouraged to move around naked. Why? Naked babies are more active and content, and this is clearly evident in practice. Over time, parents learn a variety of play and movement activities. These activities are intended to be repeated, as this is how babies learn best. It is important that the games and activities support the baby in developing their physical, cognitive, language and social skills independently. The child’s individual development is not accelerated, but gently supported.
Fathers are, of course, always very welcome!
The aims of the PEKiP group at a glance:
- With the help of movement, sensory and play activities, parents accompany and support their baby’s development. These activities are guided by the PEKiP group leader, and parents receive information about what babies are able to do at different ages and which games are suitable according to their stage of development.
- The relationship between parents and child is strengthened. In particular, the activities during the first six months of life help to establish a secure bond between parents and baby. In the second half of the first year, this secure attachment already makes it possible to begin letting go: within this safe environment, babies can experience separating from mum or dad for the first time and gradually become more independent.
- Another important aspect is the exchange of experiences between parents about their new situation with a child, as well as the opportunity to receive professional information and guidance from the PEKiP group leader.
- Finally, babies have the opportunity to make contact with other children of the same age. At first, this involves making eye contact, followed by gentle touching. By the end of the PEKiP programme, babies play together, exchange toys and “babble” together.