For many families, parenting advice is most meaningful when it feels familiar, trusted and grounded in culture.
That belief sits at the heart of a new Cook Islands in-language message suite developed for Children's Health Queensland's Connecting2u program, bringing culturally tailored parenting and child health information to Cook Islands families in both text and audio format.
The free text messaging service provides te au Matua (parents) and te Kopu tangata (family) with evidence-based pregnancy, parenting and child health information from pregnancy through to the fifth birthday o te tamaiti (Child), covering topics such as pregnancy care, baby's development, feeding, sleep, health checks, vaccinations and wellbeing.
Developed in partnership with Pacifikai and the Cook Islands community, including parents, caregivers, elders and community leaders, the message suite in the Te Reo Kuki Airani language was shaped through a series of workshops that informed the content, imagery, language and overall approach.
Rather than translating existing messages, a co-design and transcreation process ensured the messages reflected Cook Islands culture, values, communication styles and lived experiences.
Connecting2u multicultural liaison officer Linda Maretu said providing health information in-language was an important way to help families feel connected, informed and supported.
"Language is deeply connected to culture, identity and belonging. When families receive information in a way that feels familiar and culturally meaningful, it can strengthen understanding, build trust and make it easier to engage with health services," she said.
"Community members were involved every step of the way, from translation and review through to recording the audio messages themselves to ensure the messages felt authentic and reflected the Cook Islands community."
Since 2014, Connecting2u has supported more than 30,000 Queensland parents and caregivers on their parenting journey.
For more information or to sign up to Connecting2u, visit childrens.health.qld.gov.au/c2u
ENDS