Support to help ditch the dummy for school pupils
Families of children who are still using dummies when they reach school are being supported to help them ditch the habit.
Part of the Scarborough Pledge iniative, a prevention team has been running a campaign to Ditch the Dummy throughout February and will be giving out advice at the Brunswick Centre next week.
They have been working with children living in Scarborough and surrounding areas provide help and support to stop using their dummy.
Research suggests that the persistent use of dummies in young children has a detrimental impact on children oral development, poor dental hygiene and speech and language.
Although dummies may be useful in settling very young babies and encourage strong sucking patterns, after a developmental age of about six months there is an increased risk of ear infections and dental problems. Dummy use also limits babbling and use of sounds which are essential in the development of speech and language skills.
A number of events will be run in Scarborough during February to raise awareness of the benefits of not using a dummy.
The Prevention Team will be at the Brunswick Centre on Wendesday February 22 to promote the project and will be available to talk to parents to support them getting rid of their children’s dummy.
The Family Outreach Support Workers will also be visiting all early years settings and giving out information packs as well as gifts for those who want to hand in and say good bye to their dummies.