The Child Development Project, under the Ministries of Health and Social services and of education, is a programme which is offered to all families in Bermuda with preschool children. Our aim is to prevent or minimise developmental problems in our children and to support parents in their parenting role.

We provide an assessment service for preschool children which helps to identify those with special needs and we offer services to the families to address those needs. We also provide general information about child development, numerous resources, and support to all families involved in the service through developmental booklets, newsletters, toy library and parent discussions groups.

The services of the Child Development Project are generally provided to children between the ages of two and four. We do, however, take referrals before the age of two and may continue our services until a child is five- years-old, depending on need.

*** The Verbal Interaction Programme, or as we call it, The V.I.P. programme, is one of the services offered by the Child Development Project. The programme is centred around the family and it reinforces the parent's role as the pre-school child's natural teacher.

The aim of this home-based programme is to provide the child with meaningful, interesting dialogue with his parent and other family members. To encourage this verbal interaction, colourful toys and books are selected to promote interaction between the child and family.

Some materials are permanently assigned and others are on loan for a short period of time. The Parent Support Home Visitor brings a different item each week and plays with the child and parent for about one half-hour.

The Parent Support Home Visitors do not teach or counsel, but "model'' for parents different and interesting ways of playing with their children. For instance, the home visitor encourages the youngster to name, and think about the features of the toy or book -- its colour, shape, size, texture, number; what causes things to happen, classes of things -- all of which lead to increased language and cognitive ability. The play session encourages curiosity, imagination and independence. The parents participate in every home session and are encouraged to take over the play activity when they feel comfortable with it.

Parents who use these interactive techniques have reported that they find that these items provide an unhurried way of enjoying playtime with their children.

The sessions provide a store-house of ideas on how to stimulate their children. Parents are motivated to read and talk to their children more.

Parents have also reported that they see improvement in their children's development.

The play session is carried out in a way which encourages the child's wish to learn. The children are praised when they do well; mistakes are overlooked; help is given where they really need it. The V.I.P. programme tends to make learning exciting and anxiety free.

Most of all, the child's relationship with his parent is strengthened as a result. The reciprocal process between the parent and child lies at the heart of the Verbal Interaction (V.I.P.) Programme, thus providing an enriching experience for families. Elizabeth Smith -- Family Coordinator Child Development Project.