1. Two-generation preschool programme: immediate and 7-year-old outcomes for low-income children and their parents.
- Author
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Benzies, Karen, Mychasiuk, Richelle, Kurilova, Jana, Tough, Suzanne, Edwards, Nancy, and Donnelly, Carlene
- Subjects
ANALYSIS of variance ,CHILD development ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,ENGLISH as a foreign language ,LANGUAGE acquisition ,LONGITUDINAL method ,MEDICAL care use ,MEDICAL screening ,PARENT-child relationships ,SELF-esteem testing ,SELF-perception ,STATISTICS ,STRESS management ,DATA analysis ,EARLY intervention (Education) ,SOCIOECONOMIC factors ,PRE-tests & post-tests ,TRANSITIONAL programs (Education) ,PARENTING education ,EVALUATION of human services programs ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics - Abstract
Preschool children living in low-income families are at increased risk for poor outcomes; early intervention programmes mitigate these risks. While there is considerable evidence of the effectiveness of centre-based programmes in other jurisdictions, there is limited research about Canadian programmes, specifically programmes that include children and parents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a single-site, two-generation preschool demonstration programme for low-income families in Canada. A single group, pre-test (programme intake) /post-test (programme exit) design with a 7-year-old follow-up was used. Between intake and exit, significant improvements in receptive language and global development were found among the children, and significant improvements in self-esteem, use of community resources, parenting stress and risk for child maltreatment were found among the parents. These positive improvements were sustained until the children were 7 years old. Public investment in two-generation preschool programmes may mitigate risks for suboptimal child development and improve parental psychosocial outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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