SMART (Supporting Mothers and Raising Toddlers)

|SMART is our first program aimed at toddlers. It is licensed by the Mothers Matter Centre and open for all Canadian organizations.

What is SMART?

Supporting Mothers and Raising Toddlers (SMART) is a play-based learning program for mothers of children aged 18 to 36 months. It focuses on deepening parent-child bonds, fostering healthy early childhood development, increasing connections to community resources, and strengthening social networks.

It is a home visitation program that, in the context of the ‘new normal,’ can be delivered virtually. SMART is a 30-week program administered over a year and includes 78 structured, engaging and easy to follow activities (click here to watch our SMART video). The program activities stimulate toddlers’ imaginations, encouraging them to learn and bond with their family.

It includes:

An easy-to-follow manual to guide project staff in running the program effectively

78 activity cards (in English and French) accompanied by high-quality toys and books supporting the activities

Training and technical support for rolling out SMART to interested partners

SMART is an adaptation of Opstapje, a play-based learning initiative created in Germany by IMPULS, for which the MMC has acquired the license and adapted for use in Canada.

Who is SMART For?

Everyone. The program is open for all Canadian organizations. It is licensed in Canada by the Mothers Matter Centre (MMC).

The SMART pilot had great success with refugee, newcomer, and Indigenous communities. We have been working to support vulnerable, marginalized and isolated mothers for 20 years in Canada and we believe that empowering mothers is one of the best ways to achieve long term sustainable results for children’s learning and development.

Objectives

1. Facilitating and strengthening the bond between mother and child through engagement in playbased learning activities.

2. Improving confidence of mother and child through expressing themselves and interacting with each other following the SMART curriculum.

3. Supporting holistic child development for improved school-readiness of children

4. Encouraging mothers to engage and network with other mothers, supported by a peer-to-peer approach and joint discussions in group meetings.

Outcomes for Families

The mother-child bond is strengthened, helping both mother and child feel more at home in Canada.

Mothers and children have increased confidence in expressing themselves, interacting with each other and with other household and community members.

Children are better prepared for school and for life.

Mothers feel more connected as a result of networking, formation of support groups, and interaction within communities and with other mothers in the program.

What Does SMART Cost?

  • Site License Fee

  • $ $3,000 year
  • Providing:

    Training for facilitators

    Site support

    Site monitoring & performance management

    Research

  • Parent-Child Materials

  • $ 250 family
  • Providing:

    6 books

    20 toys

    78 activity card

If you think the SMART program would serve a need in your community, please contact

Yusra Qadir
Director of Innovations, Advocacy and Multicultural HIPPY
E: yqadir@hippycanada.ca

The Right to be Ready Initiative
The Right to be Ready Initiative