Improving Early Childhood Development among Vulnerable Populations: A Pilot Initiative at a Women, Infants, and Children Clinic

Child Development Research

Amy E. Shriver^1¹  Meena Cabral de Mello^5²  Brian A. Ferguson^1³  Karen L. Goff^3⁵  Jacy L. Downey^2⁷  Alyssa M. Ferguson^4⁸ 

[1] Blank Childrens Hospital, Des Moines, IA, USA^3;Breastfeeding Coalition of Polk County, Des Moines, IA, USA^6;Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, USA^1;Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Geneva, Switzerland^8;Reach Out and Read Iowa, Johnston, IA, USA^4;UnityPoint Health Iowa, Des Moines, IA, USA^7;University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville, KY, USA^2;Women, Infants Children Program, Des Moines, IA, USA^5

DOI  :  10.1155/2018/3943157

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Hindawi Publishing Corporation

【 摘 要 】

Objective. Early childhood development (ECD) programs have demonstrated drastic improvements in survival, growth, health, and social productivity. An ECD pilot intervention was delivered to vulnerable populations of a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic in Des Moines, Iowa, to assess ECD outcomes and parental receivability in this setting. Study Design. In a randomized, single blinded control initiative, WIC group sessions of mothers (children aged 2 years and younger) were selected for pilot ECD intervention (37 participants) or control (36). Care for Child Development ECD course material was supplemented to intervention groups. Survey results were assessed with paired samples T-testing and by an ANOVA. Results. Pilot session receivability demonstrated significance in all areas relative to control enjoyment, ; learning capacity, ; and participant sharing, . Furthermore, the previously validated ECD intervention demonstrated significantly improved cumulative 1 month behavior outcomes following the intervention . Conclusions. The WIC setting provides an ideal environment for delivering ECD education beyond traditional counseling in nutrition. High receivability indices among parents demonstrate remarkable capacity for improvement and growth. The significance in receivability, as well as 1 month behavior outcomes, represents parents’ overall readiness to enhance the home environment for their child if merely educated how.

【 授权许可】

CC BY