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smalltalk About smalltalk FAQs
FAQs
Find answers to common questions about accessing smalltalk, referrals, delivery, eligibility and costs.
For families
smalltalk is designed for families with children aged 0 – 5. In some locations, eligibility criteria may apply to smalltalk sessions to allow services to prioritise families who need extra support.
smalltalk is available in many locations in Australia, but availability varies. In Victoria, contact your local council or Maternal Child Health Nurse to find out whether a Supported Playgroup offering smalltalk is available in your area.
smalltalk is free for families to attend.
For practitioners
smalltalk is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps practitioners support parents to strengthen everyday interactions that promote children’s learning and development.
smalltalk supports stronger parent-child interactions, richer home learning environments, improved parent confidence and sustained benefits for children’s learning and development.
smalltalk is delivered by trained facilitators, including practitioners working in early years, family services, community programs and related support settings.
No specific qualification is required to complete the smalltalk Facilitator Training, although experience in early learning or working with families is helpful. Facilitators need to complete training before delivering smalltalk to families in group or individual settings.
We don’t currently offer smalltalk Facilitator Training to individuals. If your organisation is interested in discussing how smalltalk might work in your region, please get in touch.
In Victoria, training is offered to all new Victorian Government-funded Supported Playgroup facilitators. Talk to your line manager to find out about the next intake.
Practitioners build confidence in coaching parents, modelling responsive interactions, using reflective conversations and embedding evidence-based strategies into everyday practice.
Parents receive practical, strengths-based support to recognise and build on everyday moments with their child that support early learning and development. smalltalk builds parents’ confidence as their child’s first teacher.
smalltalk is offered in a range of locations in Australia, often through Supported Playgroups and family services. Availability varies by area, so contact your local council or family service organisation to find out what is available near you.
Contact your local council or talk to a family services organisation in your area to see if they offer smalltalk to local families.
For organisations
smalltalk can be delivered through group programs, such as supported playgroups or facilitated parent-child groups, or through one-to-one support, such as dedicated home coaching or home-based support services, depending on the needs of families and communities.
The best delivery setting will depend on family needs, the service context and the intended outcomes. Contact us to discuss how smalltalk could work in your organisation.
Implementation support can be adapted to suit the needs of the organisation to ensure smalltalk can be delivered consistently and sustainably. It may include facilitator training, planning, practice resources, coaching support and evaluation approaches.
We partner with community and family service organisations, local councils, governments, early childhood services and other organisations seeking to strengthen support for families.
Contact us to discuss training, implementation support, and partnership opportunities that align with your service context and community needs.
smalltalk was developed by the Parenting Research Centre and tested through the Victorian Government-funded Early Home Learning Study, involving more than 2,200 families. Research has shown positive impacts on parent-child interactions, the home learning environment and longer-term child learning outcomes. Explore the evidence and impact for more detail and references.