“Let’s Talk Mom”: Luksic Foundation’s program seeks to promote early childhood development by accompanying mothers throughout Chile
Advice on parenting and stimulation during the first years of life, support groups, virtual workshops with managers, and consultations with specialists are part of what is offered by the initiative of the Foundation’s Childhood area. The program, which until 2024 was implemented by the Child Neuroprotection Institute, has proven to have a positive impact on children’s brain development. As of this year, it was integrated into the Foundation’s new Children’s area, with the aim of expanding its scope.
The first 1,000 days of life are fundamental for a person’s development and well-being. During these years, the essential pillars of language use are built, as well as the social, cognitive and emotional skills that children will use in the future. This period is also when the brain experiences its greatest growth: up to 80% of human brain functions are created and more than one million new connections are generated every second, a rate that is never repeated.
Aware of the importance of this stage and the leading role that families play in raising their children, the Luksic Foundation will implement during 2025 “Let’s Talk Mom”, a support program for pregnant women and mothers of children up to two years of age. The initiative seeks that children can begin their life trajectories with solid foundations, providing their mothers with knowledge and practical tools to strengthen their parenting techniques and enhance the healthy development of their children.
“The first years of life are a unique opportunity to lay solid foundations in people’s lives. Affection, stimulation and a safe environment make the difference in their future wellbeing. That is why, through Conversemos Mamá, we want to accompany families in this process, providing them with tools that allow children to unfold their full potential,” said María Fernanda Orellana, director of the Luksic Foundation’s Childhood area.
The intervention is mainly based on a virtual accompaniment through WhatsApp for groups of mothers who are guided by a manager. Mothers receive weekly information and content on parenting, spaces to resolve doubts about what they are experiencing on a daily basis, support in the early detection of child development or mental health problems, workshops to acquire practical tools, and consultations with professionals, such as pediatricians and gynecologists, for mothers who need it.
An evidence-based program
Until 2024, “Let’s Talk Mom” was developed by the Child Neuroprotection Institute (Inpi), benefiting more than 2,000 mothers in the municipalities of Recoleta, Renca, La Pintana, El Monte, San Miguel, Quilicura, Huechuraba, Santiago, Valparaíso, Concepción, Puerto Montt, and the towns of Lago Ranco and Las Cascadas. In 2022, an impact evaluation showed that the program has had statistically significant results in child development and protective factors, such as: breastfeeding, birth weight and height, mothers’ perception of support, access to information, and understanding of early childhood.
In 2025, the initiative was integrated into the Foundation’s new Children’s area, with the aim of expanding its scope. “This new area, and specifically the Conversemos Mamá program, responds to our commitment to foster the development of competencies and skills throughout the life cycle,” said the director of the Childhood area.
Soon, the Luksic Foundation will hold the first national open call for pregnant women and mothers who wish to be part of the program. Details will be shared at www.fundacionluksic.cl.
