Prague Parent-Child Programme (PEKiP)
PEKiP is one of the most popular parent-child courses in Germany. What is special about PEKiP? And what happens during a PEKiP course? We have summarized everything you need to know for you here.
Where does PEKiP come from?
A naked baby is happier and more satisfied! Based on this thesis, the Prague child psychologist Jaroslav Koch developed play and movement suggestions for babies in the 60s. In the 70s, the psychologists Christa and Hans Ruppelt took up this idea and developed the Prague-Parent-Child Program in cooperation with social workers and educators. It focuses on four equally important objectives:
- Accompany the baby in its development.
- Strengthen the relationship between parent and child.
- Enable contact and exchange of experiences among mothers and fathers.
- Promote the contact of babies with peers.
The PEKiP e.V. (P ragerEltern-Ki nd-Programm), which was founded at that time, is the sole trainer for the PEKiP course instructors. So make sure you sign up for a course offered by a trained PEKiP group leader.
What happens in the PEKiP course?
There are usually about six to eight mothers or fathers with their babies in a course. Care is taken to ensure that the babies are about the same age. In the classroom, soft mats are laid out everywhere, because everything takes place on the floor. In addition, it is very warm because your baby is completely undressed and allowed to move naked on the mats. So nothing stands in the way of his urge to move. Naked, your baby cries less, is more intuitive and overall more satisfied.
Your baby’s movements are inspired with your help. For example, you can use a water ball to encourage your baby to use his arms and legs. While your baby lies on his back, you kneel in front of him and hold out the water ball from above. It will reach out to him with hands and feet and after a few lessons he will try to pass the ball from his feet to his hands or clamp it between hands and feet. If your baby can already crawl, you can let him crawl up on an inclined plane. In this way, you promote the development of the feeling for his balance. You can try out these and other exercises in the PEKiP course.
Likewise, the course should also deal with the needs of parents. PEKiP wants to be a holistic approach for parents and children. Your actions as a parent should be strengthened by the conversation with the group leaders in the course.
Why take a PEKiP course?
For you and your baby, the Prague Parent-Child Program pursues four goals:
- The accompaniment of your baby in its development:Â The movement, sensory and play stimulations support your child in his development. However, nothing is “trained”, but the babies are encouraged to do something themselves.
- Strengthening the relationship between you and your baby:Â By watching your baby, your relationship becomes more intimate. You get to know your baby even better and feel what it needs. Your movement suggestions for the baby strengthen your baby’s confidence in you.
- The exchange of experiences between parents is encouraged:Â Here you have the opportunity to pass on your own experiences as a young mother. It is not about comparing oneself or the children with each other, but about supporting each other.
- Promotion of contact between babies:Â Even a baby who is only a few weeks young can come into contact with babies of the same age. The PEKiP instructors are trained to create incentives for the babies to socialize with each other.
When and where to take a PEKiP course?
- Suitable for:Â You can attend a PEKiP course with your baby after the U3, i.e. when it is four to six weeks old. You can attend a PEKiP course with your baby until it can walk.
- Time:Â The duration of a course is about 90 minutes. However, your baby decides whether he really wants to play that long: If he is tired, he can sleep, he is thirsty, he can drink. Nothing is forced.
- Provider:Â The courses are offered by family education institutions, midwifery practices, health centres, civic centres or other adult education institutions. The course may only be conducted by group leaders with training from PEKiP e.V.
- Cost:Â Usually there are about eight to eleven course units, which then cost about between 60 and 80 euros. Your health insurance may even support you.