Project Coordinator, Telethon Kids Institute

Karen Forde is a passionate communicator and advocate for advancing the importance of the Early Years. 

Specialising in Research Translation and Stakeholder Engagement at Telethon Kids Institute, her background in health promotion and communication science has driven research translation outcomes through innovative collaborative approaches, harnessing digital solutions and social marketing.

Committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of all children, Karen engages with a wide variety of audiences to empower parents, families, communities, and organisations by sharing research in ways that can make a difference. 

Current projects include; Core Story for Early Childhood Development and Learning, Bright Tomorrows app and Beacon Cyber Safety app.

Abstract

An update on the work of the Institute on communicating with parents and professionals about early brain development work.

The early years of a child’s life provide a unique opportunity to support children’s health and well-being to enable positive development and learning for life. For children to thrive, parents and other care givers must be supported. Innovative projects at Telethon Kids Institute have translated evidence into accessible resources that can be adopted by educators, practitioners, and families. During this presentation you will be introduced to evidence based capacity building resources and tools that can improve health and well-being for all Australian children.

Projects in focus: Core Story for Early Childhood Development and Learning and Bright Tomorrows app.

Synopsis - Core Story 

There are significant challenges to communicating information about early childhood development in Australia. Public thinking about early childhood filters how messages are received, and our communications often do not have the impact we aim for. While we know that early experiences have lasting effects on the development of children’s brains and biological systems that can influence learning, health, and relationships throughout life. Research suggests the significance of early childhood development is not fully realised by the Australian public.

How we, as Australian organisations and service providers, communicate on early childhood impacts how people understand early childhood development in Australia.

The choices we make in our communications affect how people, think, feel, and are willing to act. The Core Story for Early Childhood Development and Learning works from a scientifically validated communication framework to advance public understanding of early childhood in Australia. From this research, newly released Core Story communication capacity building tools can add impact to your messages.

Synopsis - Bright Tomorrows

The early years are a great opportunity to build children’s health, development, and learning.

Children thrive when their parents are supported, especially in a child’s early years – the fastest period of brain growth.

The Bright Tomorrows app was formed to give parents, carers and others who care for children some of the tools they need to give all children the best start to life.

Underpinned by the latest child development science, Bright Tomorrows aims to build community understanding about the amazing potential of a baby’s developing brain and to provide expert advice and evidence-based tools to support children’s health, development, and learning.