Research into the effectiveness of a specific baby parenting programme to support new mums, showed that their skills in coping with the new stresses of parenthood, their parenting skills, including understanding how to bond with their babies and their mental well- being all improved as a result. The programme also gave them opportunities to get together and make new friends.

A related programme has also been assisting pre-school children and their parents to get the greatest benefit from the transition to school life.

These are two of the many 'Incredible Years Wales' programmes that have become more commonplace across Wales over the last 10 years. The programmes, now funded by the Welsh Assembly Government via all local authorities in Wales, provide a range of courses that help parents, teachers and the children themselves to manage their behaviour and emotions, so that they can get the best out of life.

The children involved hardy realise that they are receiving 'Incredible years' programmes, though many will be familiar with 'Dino' the dinosaur puppet, life-sized child puppet 'Wally' and other of the 'Incredible Years' characters who interact with children to help them learn about their emotions and how to interact successfully with others.

The programmes have been introduced by Bangor University, where the 'Incredible Years Wales Centre' provides training in the programmes to a range of professionals, from foster carers to teachers, and research the effectiveness of the programmes being delivered.

On Wednesday March 17 Huw Lewis, Deputy Minister for Children at the National Assembly Government, addresses a Conference in Cardiff to mark 10 years of Incredible Years Wales.

Huw Lewis said:

"Through the work of Bangor University and the Incredible Years Wales Centre, the Incredible Years programmes have continued to provide support and encouragement to parents and flying starts to the lives of children across Wales for the last ten years.

"I am delighted that through further Welsh Assembly Government funding for 2010/11 we are able to keep working together to deliver training in these excellent programmes that have had such a positive effect on families across Wales."

Professor Judy Hutchings, Director of the Incredible Years Wales Centre at Bangor University says: "The programmes are so comprehensive and flexible, that we are able to support children from 0-13 and assist new parents, foster carers, teachers, children with mental health problems and their families. We report regularly to the Assembly Government on the whole range of programmes that we are supporting so that they can be assured that their investment is bringing benefits to Welsh society.

Notes:

1. The Results of the Evaluation of the Incredible Years Baby parenting Programme in Flying Start Areas in Wales (Porth, Llanhileth, Britton Ferry, Holyhead, Llanrwst, Caernarfon, Bangor Welshpool) and the research on Enhancing Children's School readiness and a report on the new Big Lottery Fund project are among the reviews and report on current research and programmes from the Incredible Years Conference.

2. The Conference will also hear how 102 primary schools in Gwynedd will be involved in a £399,000 The Big Lottery Fund project funded research project looking at how best to help children at risk of under achievement to develop the skills they need to get the best from education. The new research project carried out by the Incredible Years Wales Centre at Bangor University will examine exactly how effective a new Incredible Years programme is in helping children from at risk families. Children identified as 'at risk' often fall behind educationally. The traditional solution has been to provide them with more academic teaching to support their learning- but it's now recognised that what they need are other competences to help them to take advantage of the school learning environment, not necessarily more academic support.

3. Bangor University's School of Psychology ranks among the very best in the UK in terms of both research performance and teaching excellence. The Research Assessment Exercise 2008 saw Bangor Psychology rated 7th (out of 76) for research power. The School also boasts a number of prestigious research centres which, as well as being in the vanguard of academic research.

4. For more information about Incredible Years Wales visit:http://www.incredibleyearswales.co.uk/