Research Database

Investigation of the effectiveness of a community-based parent education program to engage families in increasing language interactions with their children

Topic:

Not Recorded

Journal/Publication:

Early Childhood Research Quarterly

Year:

2020
Participant Age Range:
3.3 –
34.4 months

Sample Size:

56

Participant Language:

English, Other

Abstract:

The home language environment (HLE) is robustly associated with children’s later language and literacy abilities. The present study used a quasi-experimental comparison design to examine the changes in LENA (Language ENvironment Analysis) estimates of the HLE for participants who completed a community-based parent-education program relative to participants who regularly visit the library, but did not participate in the program. Twenty-eight caregivers and their 0- to 30-month-old children made up the comparison sample. They were matched on key control variables using propensity score matching techniques to participants in the intervention sample. The intervention sample was 28 caregivers and their children drawn from the larger sample of participants who completed the educational program. Using longitudinal growth curve modeling, we found significant growth in weekly estimates in adult language input to children, conversational turn-taking, and child vocalizations for the intervention group, but not for the comparison group. Community-delivered interventions have the potential to engage caregivers to provide enriching language environments that lead to children’s healthy language development.

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