Novita’s ‘More than words®’ program was developed by the Hanen Centre to promote children's language, social communication and emotional development. The goal of the program is to empower caregivers to become the child’ primary facilitator of social communication skills. The program uses adult learning principles designed to give parents practical strategies to help their children learn language through natural interactions. The focus on adult learning principles supports parents to recognise, respond and build on their children’s communication in everyday home activities building on the play-based nature of teacher-led program.

Expected outcomes for this program are:

• Provision of effective parent-implemented early language intervention to clients and families attending early childhood settings in South Australia.
• Increase in parents' capacity to provide their child with a rich, therapeutic environment, that accelerates social communication development.
• Increased family well-being and reduced parent anxiety.
• Reduction in the need for tier 3 individualised therapy due to the provision of small group intervention and capacity building supports.

The program can be provided in-person or online to support families or children enrolled at your centre. The program uses a combination of individual parent child sessions for coaching and feedback alongside group information provision. The sessions available include:

• Pre-program consultation
• Parent-only group education sessions
• Collaborative practice within an early childhood setting.

Parent-only group education sessions are delivered for $4,800 per group (of 6 to 8 people). If travel is required, it will be charged at $107.50 per 30 minutes. Regional and remote location will incur a price loading rate on top of the above rates.