IMPLEMENTING AN ATTACHMENT-BASED PARENTING INTERVENTION WITHIN HOME-BASED EARLY HEAD START: HOME-VISITORS’ PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES

Experiences of interaction between teenage mothers and visiting nurses: a phenomenological study

OBJECTIVE

To understand the experiences of interaction between teenage mothers and visiting nurses in the Young Mothers Caregivers Program.

METHOD

Qualitative research using the theoretical-methodological framework of Social Phenomenology, with phenomenological interviews with visiting nurses and teenage mothers.

RESULTS

Three visiting nurses and nine teenage mothers participated. The understanding of the experiences led to the elaboration of three categories of contexts of meanings related to the past and present: "Experiences of participation in the PJMC"; "The interaction experienced by visiting nurses and teenage mothers"; "Parenting and maternal role".

CONCLUSION

The interaction between visiting nurses and teenage mothers in the program was characterized as positive, as it provided the mother with greater security in her maternal and parental role. The attitudes of nurses and adolescent mothers were fundamental for establishing a positive interaction.

Feasibility and acceptability of a home-based intervention to promote nurturing interactions and healthy behaviours in early childhood: The Amagugu Asakhula pilot study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a home-based intervention-Amagugu Asakhula-to promote nurturing interactions and healthy behaviours with the caregivers of preschool children. Amagugu Asakhula means "treasures that are still growing" and focuses on children's cognitive development, physical activity, screen time, diet and sleep while also promoting the caregiver-child relationship.

METHODS

This study took place in a low-income setting in Cape Town, South Africa. The 6-week intervention was implemented by community health workers (CHWs) with 20 caregivers of preschool children. CHWs provided written feedback on intervention sessions, and two focus groups were conducted, one with the CHWs involved (n = 4) and another with caregivers (n = 6), to obtain their feedback on the intervention and its implementation. Data were collated according to themes relating to implementation. In this pilot study, training and recruitment proved feasible and were facilitated by partnership with a community-based organization.

RESULTS

The intervention was generally implemented as intended, in terms of dose and delivery. Family support and active engagement of caregivers' preschool children in intervention activities were reported by CHWs and caregivers, and CHWs also reported mostly positive interactions with caregivers. CHWs and caregivers perceived the intervention to have benefits relating to the following: caregivers' awareness and knowledge of health behaviours, awareness of their role, changes in behaviours, and connection between the caregiver and child. The only change to the intervention suggested was the inclusion of some group sessions to promote support amongst intervention participants and sustain engagement in the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this pilot study indicate that Amagugu Asakhula was both feasible and acceptable with caregivers of preschool children in a low-income urban setting. Further research is needed to assess the extent to which this intervention has an objective and measurable effect on intended outcomes.

Research–Practice Partnership: Application to Implementation of Multitiered System of Supports in Early Childhood Education

Purpose

Research–practice partnerships (RPPs) offer a tool for identifying, generating, and implementing evidence-based strategies that improve practice, policies, and client outcomes. We offer a description of RPPs and elements that facilitate successful utilization. The origin of RPPs, various approaches, and anticipated barriers are discussed. We illustrate some of the challenges and rewards of establishing an RPP using an example of a project that sought to implement a multitiered system of supports among a variety of early childhood education classrooms in a large urban school district.

Method

A planning/leadership team established objectives and used surveys, focus groups, classroom observations, professional development records, and student outcome data to inform decision making.

Results

The district's progress in implementing multitiered system of supports in early childhood and ways in which implementation plans were modified as a result of data-based decision making are described. A number of unexpected obstacles interfered with original plans, requiring significant revisions in our theory of change and new strategies to overcome challenges.

Conclusion

This illustration helps elucidate critical elements of RPPs and highlights their applicability to researchers and practitioners in communication sciences and disorders.