Parents and caregivers can use this childhood experiences worksheet to reflect on what shaped them, recognise protective experiences, and think clearly about the childhood they want for their baby. It is particularly suited to home visiting, early years family support, perinatal services, infant mental health work, and parent conversations about ACEs, resilience and nurturing care.
When a parent is trying to understand how their own childhood may influence their parenting, the PDF gives a structured, gentle way to begin that conversation. It starts with a caregiver history section covering the first 18 years of life, with separate columns for Caregiver 1 and Caregiver 2 so both parents or carers can complete it if helpful.
The first checklist focuses on positive childhood experiences, including feeling safe with a caregiver, being able to talk about feelings, having family support in difficult times, predictable routines, friendships, supportive adults, comforting beliefs, belonging at school, opportunities for fun, and feeling comfortable with yourself.
A second checklist looks at adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, such as physical harm, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, substance misuse in the home, domestic violence, frequent moves, mental illness in the household, poverty, bereavement or separation from a parent, imprisonment, racial discrimination, community-wide trauma, COVID impact and environmental health risks. The wording is direct, so it is best used in a safe, supported setting rather than handed over without context.
Reflection prompts then invite the adult to notice feelings, identify positive experiences that helped them grow, and consider which adverse experiences still affect them. The baby section shifts the focus towards current protective experiences, such as comfort when upset, talking and singing, cuddling, hearing loving words, routines, praise, communication, play, wider family support, play dates and traditions.
Home visitors, family support workers and practitioners in parenting programmes could use it during one-to-one sessions, while parents may also find it useful for private reflection before discussing support needs. It can help connect past experiences with practical, everyday ways to build safety, connection and resilience for a child.
