海角直播

Creating educational tools for baby brain development

A social enterprise which supports families by helping parents learn about their children鈥檚 development is developing a suite of digital learning tools thanks to the support of DigitalCity.

Close-Knit CIC is focusing on change in families and society, by supporting parents and caregivers with information to help them connect and understand their child鈥檚 development. The Founder and Director of Close-Knit, Beth Munby is participating in DigitalCity鈥檚 Accelerator Programme funded through ERDF. The programme is designed to support the growth of early-stage companies in the Tees Valley who are in the process of launching or planning to launch new to market products and services.

The 海角直播-led DigitalCity initiative is supporting Close-Knit to develop and enhance its digital offering, so it can improve accessibility and offer more products and services online to its audiences. The business has used the funds provided by the accelerator programme to help create digital services such as educational videos and support.

Beth said: 鈥淭he knowledge I have gained from experts and business colleagues through DigitalCity Accelerator workshops has been invaluable to me as a business leader and to my business.鈥�

She added that her time on the Accelerator Programme has been vital for Close-Knit鈥檚 growth as it has expanded her strategic thinking, which has strengthened the planning for the growth of her business.

Close-Knit works with families with children under five years old, and is developing an easy to access and easy to understand animation video for parents of babies aged two and under about baby brain development. The animation helps parents and carers connect with their baby, aiding brain development, and enabling them to reach their potential.

Around 200 families have so far been involved in this exciting project and the aim of this video is to highlight the importance of the first 1,001 days of a child鈥檚 life and to create an effective and streamlined resource to help explain this to parents and carers. There is huge emphasis on positive interactions with babies, as these are more likely to have a positive impact in the later life of the child.

Beth added: 鈥淐lose-Knit is creating a video about baby brain development with parents and carers because we want our resources to be accessible and be helpful for them.

鈥淲e want to give parents and carers tools to support their relationship with their child and their child's development.

'We are passionate about parents and carers accessing this information as early as possible in their parenting journey to help them and their children.鈥�

Lynsey Robinson, Director of DigitalCity, added: 鈥淎 key part of DigitalCity鈥檚 mission is to facilitate the introduction of digital technology into new industries and sectors.

鈥淲e are delighted to be able to help Close-Knit develop its innovative digital tools to help parents navigate the early years of their child鈥檚 life.鈥�

To help Close-Knit support baby brain development by taking part in their research and sharing your views as they develop this resource contact research@close-knit.org.uk