Child’s Play: Leading Childcare Experts Set for Parenting Roadshow in Dublin

Welcoming a new baby is always joyous but as any new mum will know it can be a stressful time.

Whether you’ve just had your first or are welcoming baby number four, we all have questions about our baby’s development, health and wellbeing and we seek advice from people who know better.

Model and mum Alison Canavan and her team of experts are travelling to Swords with her 0 to Toddler Show this Saturday with helpful advice to make life with a little one that bit easier. 

We had a chat with Alison about the exciting event.

Alison pictured with her son James

What inspired you to launch your 0 to Toddler Show?

I was inspired by my own struggles a new mum and when I was researching for articles I found real honest information very difficult to come by. I wanted basic questions answered about my child's development, health and wellbeing so i spent a year putting together this show with the view of empowering parents with information about those crucial formative years.

The show is travelling all around Ireland. What can Irish parents expect from the show?

We have been travelling around the country for six weeks in shopping centres but now we have our first hotel based 0 To Toddler show in the Carnegie Court Hotel in Swords on Saturday October 13th.

This show is particularly exciting as we have our first multi-sensory room for children with special needs. Adam and Friends are doing this for us. The 0 To Toddler Show will have the first pop up multi-sensory room for children to use free of charge.

What is a Multi-Sensory Room?

A multi-sensory room is an environment that helps to stimulate the sense by wonderful combinations of music, lighting effects, gentle vibrations, tactile sensations and aromas.

This is the first time in Ireland that there has been a whole room put together for a show and for children and their parents to be able to spend time in together and to see how children with special needs react to it and which senses they enjoy using.

This is a big step as there hasnt been any other shows that have gone to such lengths to include children with special needs by making it possible for them to come to the show and have a chill out space.

Adam and Friends is one of Ireland's only installers of these rooms and they are installed mostly in special needs schools, creches, for dementia patients and in hospitals.

The show hosts a sensory room for children with special needs

Is the show dad friendly?

Absolutely. Both parents are of equal importance and we had a very large attendence of dads at our previous shows which is fantastic. 

When you’re a young mother and the first of your friends to have a baby it can be difficult to meet people who have something in common with you. Is the roadshow an opportunity for mothers to meet with other moms?

Its a great opportunity to meet other parents and learn from each other. This is also a rare chance to ask the experts questions. No question is off limits and we're there to help.

Being a new mom can be stressful and overwhelming. Do you think that the show will give moms a little more confidence than they had before?

Absolutely. This show is about building self-esteem and confidence in both the parents and children. Information is power and understanding our babies and children enables us to make informed decisions. We're all doing our best. This is just another way of picking up handy and interesting tips!

Is the show very focused on first-time mothers or do you think that mums will enjoy the show, no matter how many children they have had?

One of the Mums I had in the audience in Laois had a ten-day-old baby and I presumed it was her first as she stayed all day and asked an abundance of questions.

We had a great day but it wasn't until a week later when I received a thank you letter from her that she told me that that baby was her fourth and she learnt so much at the show and thoroughly enjoyed it and was wondering when we would be back!

You have spoken in the past about your struggle with post-natal depression. As it’s something many women battle with will there be an expert who focuses on mental health in particular?

Yes it's a subject very close to my heart. I have Parentline on board all my shows as they are the only helpline for parents in Ireland. They are on hand all day to talk to any parents about any questions or concerns they might have. 

What is the set up of the show? Is it stalls that one can walk around to, depending on their interests?

There is a stage where I talk to the experts and we have lots of giveaways. We have a professional photographer Lorna Fitzsimons taking pictures for our baby competitions. We have exhibitors selling a variety of products but this is not a regular show as the main focus of this show is early childhood learning and development.

We have Musical Tots at 2PM for the children and they will explain why music is so important for so many reasons including self esteem and confidence and expression. We also have our sensory room as I admire and support Gemma O'Brien in her passion for children with special needs. It's so important we support each other as parents in Ireland especially during these difficult times. 

Moms like yourself, who are in the public eye can be an inspiration for Irish women. Will there be any celebrity mums at the show who may have inspired other mothers with their parenting experience?

I have a few surprises up my sleeve. Mums who have supported the show are Andrea Hayes, Lisa Fitzpatrick and Celia Holman Lee to name just a few. 

The 0 to Toddler Roadshow promises to be a treat for new mums

Are there any surprises in store for visitors to the show?

Mothercare are giving away a car seat and are also on hand to fit car seats free of charge. This a very important service that they provide nationwide for free. I have just been in a bad car accident with James and his car seat saved his life. Three out of four car seats in Ireland are fitted incorrectly.

Avis Car Rental have very kindly lent us cars for outside the hotel to demonstrate. To enter the competition you must have your car seat checked on the day. We also have information from the Poisons Control Centre of Ireland about keeping your child safe in the home and Clevamama have given us home safety starter kits. The theme here is safety first!

Finally, the show promises to keep your children entertained. What treats do you have in store for the little ones this weekend?

Musical tots, colouring, playdough, sensory-room, face painting and much more. There's also special deals on family meals!

The 0 to Toddler Show will take place on October 13th in the Carnegie Court Hotel in Swords Co. Dublin.

For more information visit www.alisoncanavan.com