HIPPY Fitzroy

Brotherhood of St Laurence

A brief History of HIPPY

HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) Fitzroy is a program run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence in metropolitan Melbourne.

If you have access to the Internet, you can find out more about the Brotherhood at www.bsl.org.au

The website you are currently viewing is an initiative of the Atherton Gardens Housing Estate for use by its residents.HIPPY was first developed by prof Avima Lombard at the Hebrew University in Israel, to help children from educationally disadvantaged communities to make a successful start in school.

The programme seeks to break the cycle of children from some families having limited vocabulary, few experiences in problem solving and interacting with others.

They have little knowledge of concepts such as shape, colour and numbers. As a result, these children may underachieve at school.

HIPPY aims to break this pattern through giving parents the power to influence their child's learning potential.

What does HIPPY do?

It helps prepare young children for school
Promotes language skills in children
Builds children's self-esteem and confidence
Teaches families about the joys of learning
Enhances family relationships
Children attending both kindergarden and HIPPY become high acheivers at school
Reduces school drop out rate

What is HIPPY?

Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters

HIPPY is a home based Program that-

prepares preschool children for school
encourages an awareness amongst parents of their own skills and potential as home educators

Who can be involved?

Children who turn four by April 30th
Mum, Dad, older brothers, sisters and grandparents
a community based home tutor who delivers the program to the home
low income earners (including health care card holders)
parents with an education level of year 12 or less

What happens in a HIPPY program?

the program runs over two years, for 30 weeks each year during school terms
a home tutor demonstrates the weekly lessons to parents
parents work through the activities for 15 minutes each day
a group meeting is held each fortnight for parents to discuss progress being made and to support and encourage each other

What does it cost?

$ 1 per week to help pay for matrials
the only other 'cost' is commitment and willingness to spend time with your child each day

HIPPY Newsletter	First Edition Second Edition Third Edition Fourth Edition
Announcements	The latest events and updates. Fitzroy parent group timetable North Melbourne parent group timetable Flemington parent group timetable Richmond parent group timetable
Community Links	Gertrude Players Neighbourhood Renewal cottage toy library local primary school
Links to Somali and Vietnamese pages	Somalian Webpage Vietnamese Webpage

BROTHERHOOD of ST LAURENCE:

HeadOffice:

67 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy Vic 3065

Ph:(03) 9483 1183
Fax: (03) 9417 2691
info@bsl.org.au

HIPPY is another Brotherhood of St Laurence initiative in conjunction with the Cottage - Centre for Families and Children,
126 Moor Street, Fitzroy.

Barbara Tinney

HIPPY Coordinator
126 Moor St
Fitzroy 3065
Ph. 9415 1316
www.bsl.org.au/HIPPY
email: btinney@bsl.org.au