More than 70 parents in the north-west will embark on an innovative parenting programme this month. The cross-border initiative, Developing Early Listening and Talking Abilities (DELTA) is a six-week course which focuses on creative ways for parents to interact with their children, facilitating the development of their language skills.

Delta originated in Scotland, where a study showing children with underdeveloped language abilities faced a number of difficulties when they went to school. In the long term, these children became low achievers and suffered from poor self-esteem. The programme has since been developed in Ireland to assist parents make optimum use of the time they spend with their children; DELTA has been running here since last September. Martina Walsh from Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, has four children aged 19, 16, 13 and two. "I felt I was very out of touch with today's parenting - there's quite a gap with my children! "Things have changed an awful lot in the last 20 years. Children have changed. They know it all, the are more advanced and confident. My youngest would go up and talk to anyone - I'd have had to coax my other three to say `hello'. "The way of dealing with children now is a lot different as well. They have a say in things, and parents listen to them."

The course takes place over six weeks, in different locations each time. According to Mary Nicholson, a field worker with the initiative, research into the feasibility of implementing the course showed rural isolation meant it was very difficult for parents to attend parenting programmes. "Transport problems make it impossible for parents to travel any distance for courses, so we set them up in local centres across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. It is the first chance they have had to do a course, and they seem to really love it." There is some discussion on language acquisition, but the emphasis is on practical ideas for interacting with children. "I was amazed to learn how much a child as young as my son can actually understand," Walsh says. "I would never have realised how much they are capable of doing. I'd have sent the others out to play while I set the table, for example - now I get my son to help me do it. "I'd also have sent them off while I did something like peel the spuds. But we learned that the more you involve them in activities, talking all the while, the more language they pick up. "With the older children, I understood my job was to feed them, clothe them and keep them warm. The rest was for learning at school. Now I'm more aware of how I can teach my own child, and how much they actually pick up just from daily tasks."

Geraldine Corrigan from Blacklion, Co Cavan, has three children, including twins aged four. "One of my twins has language difficulties, which is very common with twins, and I am always on the look out for anything which will help me with him. I found it helpful in all sorts of ways. "We have lots of new parents here now who have returned from England, and parents of under-fives who can easily become quite isolated. So the course became a very useful meeting place."

According to Nicholoson, there were quite a few knock-on effects from the course. "The bulk of the course focuses on how to spend more time with your children, talking to them and listening to them. Naturally, the bond between parents and their children develops; because parents are taking the time to listen to the children, their self-confidence is boosted - and parents also find there are fewer behavioural problems."

Walsh finds the relationship she has with her two-year-old easier than those she had with the older children. "I'd have to say I have a lot more fun. With the others, we thought the thing to do was just shout at them if they went near a socket for example. They wouldn't know what was wrong, and they would still be curious to see what would happen if they touched it. "But now I explain it is dangerous and will hurt if you touch it. My son really understands; he doesn't bother touching sockets or anything like that, and I find I have no need for disciplining him at all."

The parents are unanimously disappointed when the course ends, having found opportunity to discuss creative ideas which will enhance their children's lives. "We actually made all sorts of things ourselves at the course, and got tips for plenty of art activities," Corrigan says. "I was particularly impressed by suggestions for chats out on a walk: looking at everything around you, and then maybe bringing leaves back home to make more crafts from, chatting and listening to the kids all the while."

"I use every opportunity to count and do colours with my son," Walsh says. "He already knows the alphabet, he has lots of colours, and he can count to 50. He'll certainly be well prepared for school."