MERTIL for Parents (M4P) helps parents and caregivers understand young children’s behaviour, emotions and need for connection. Focusing on attachment, communication, co-regulation and relational trust, the program supports stronger parent-child relationships. It promotes healthy development in children aged 0–5, while strengthening continuity between home and early learning environments. The core program includes 35-minutes of self-paced audio-visual content, with an audio-only option available. Families also receive practical resources to support everyday parenting. Designed as a universal and accessible program, M4P is particularly relevant for families experiencing stress, trauma or other challenges that may affect early parent-child relationships.

MERTIL for Parents: Implementation Support for Practitioners provides consultation and resources to build confidence in recognising and responding to family needs using attachment-informed approaches. It supports practitioners to integrate key concepts into everyday interactions, parent engagement and early learning programs without adding significant workload.

Learn more at www.mertil.com.au

Expected outcomes:

Parents and caregivers will:

• better understand what young children communicate through their behaviour
• build confidence in responding with safety, security, repair and joy and
• gain practical strategies to strengthen parent-child relationships and trust in everyday interactions.

Practitioners will:

• develop foundational knowledge of attachment theory and early relational trust
• engage in conversations with families about program content and support help-seeking where needed and
• build the skills and capacity to refer families and deliver M4P in group settings using the Practitioner Handbook and supporting resources.

MERTIL for Parents is delivered primarily as an online, self-paced program that parents and caregivers can access individually on any internet-enabled device. The core program is 35 minutes and can be completed in one sitting or paused and resumed across short chapters. An audio-only option is also available, supporting flexible access for families who prefer to listen or engage while on the move.

ECEC services can share MERTIL for Parents with families as a standalone resource or embed it with educator or practitioner support. The Bouverie Centre can provide consultation and deliver implementation support to help educators introduce the program, refer families, and follow up on key ideas in everyday conversations.

Where group-based delivery is preferred, the MERTIL for Parents Handbook supports educators in using the program in person with groups of parents, in information sessions, in play-and-learn settings, or through informal engagement. The Handbook includes structured discussion prompts, session ideas and plain-language explanations of key concepts, supporting consistent delivery while allowing flexibility for local service needs.

MERTIL for Parents licences are priced at $30 ($33 incl. GST) per user (discounts available for bulk purchases). This provides ongoing access to the 35-minute online program and comprehensive resource library.

Online practitioner consultations (including case support) and whole-of-service implementation support are offered at $500 per hour. (depending on subject matter expert availability). Contact Bouverie Training Support Team for more information.