F-Words for Child Development

Five Counties Children’s Centre is embracing a new framework to better support our clients and families. The F-Words for Child Development moves us from a medical model of “fixing” kids to a strength-based approach that promotes health and development using all aspects of a child’s life. Five Counties is receiving help in this initiative through CAN-Implement F-Words.

This holistic approach to development is inspired by decades of research and developed by McMaster University’s CanChild Research Centre. Five Counties is pleased to be using the F-Words in its work assisting children with physical, developmental and communication challenges. It helps us address all of the child’s and family’s unique needs and goals for treatment.

Why the F-Words Matter for Families

Read the words of Five Counties staff member, Ashley Parsons, on why the F-Words are a game-changer for families. “This framework moves us from a medical model of “fixing” kids to a strength-based approach that promotes health and development using all aspects of a child’s life,” she writes. Learn More

Spelling Out the F-Words

The F-Words focus on six key area of a child’s health and well-being (download this English-language poster for printable version). You can also find the poster in 30+ other languages at the CanChild website.

Functioning is a child’s strengths and way of doing things (“I may do things differently, but I can do them. How I do it isn’t important; please let me try.”)
Family represents a child’s essential ‘environment’ (“My family knows me best and I trust them. Listen to them, talk to them, hear them, and respect them.”)
Fitness describes a child’s physical and mental well-being (“Everyone needs to stay fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. Help me find ways to do this.”)
Fun includes activities a child likes doing (“Life is about fun and play. Please help me do the activities that I find the most fun.”)
Friends refer to a child’s relationships with others their own age (“Having friends is important. Please give me opportunities to make friends.”)
Future is a child’s expectations and dreams for life (“I am growing up every day, so please find ways for me to participate and be included in my community.”)

Why the F-Words Matter

Parent quote F-Words The F-Words are an invaluable tool that can be used in many different settings – not just in treatment spaces.

This framework encourages us to look at a child’s strengths and interests rather than a disability or impairment.
Using each F-Word, we can tailor questions that suit a child’s age, stage of life and developmental level to spark a conversation. This helps us work with the client and family to answer and describe what each F-Word looks like for them. The result is a picture that we can use with the family to plan programs/activities, set goals and problem solve to help achieve the best treatment outcomes for their child!
The F-Words can be used in everyday situations by everyone – be they a child’s family, care group, daycares, educators and other service providers. The F-Words model is ideal for introducing a child with unique needs to others and to new settings – like school.
This framework speaks to the strength and abilities of families, helping us embrace their whole self, situation and surroundings.

Additional Resources

CanChild’s F-Words Knowledge Hub includes many excellent resources. Below are direct links to some of its content:

F-Words Stories – Learn what parents, youth with disabilities and clinicians say about using the F-Words framework.
F-Words Tools – Discover tools and resources to put the F-Words into practice.
F-Words Profile Template – This one-page document can be used to highlight what each F-word means to the child and family. The profile can be used as an introductory document for the initial meetings with new service providers. As the child grows older, the profile can be updated.
F-Words Webinars/Podcasts – Learning modules that focus on each aspect of the F-Words framework.
F-Words Videos – Watch how the F-Words are benefitting others and how to put them to work for your family.

F-Words – One Parent’s Perspective