Date of Award
1-1-1990
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Advisor
Mary Ellen Snapp
Keywords
caregivers, class modification, client concerns, demand-driven model, demographic factors, early childhood programs, evaluation forms, infant programs, interaction, motor skills, parent education, parent needs, parent resource library, parenting issues, parenting role models, parenting skills, park district, permanent reference library, program evaluation, program implementation, questionnaires, resource materials, resource person, satisfaction, student satisfaction, teacher role, toddler programs, early childhood education, family support, community resources, curriculum enhancement, parent involvement, support services, educational resources, child development, caregiver support, program development, library resources, needs assessment, class sessions, future programs, supervisory evaluation
Abstract
Because of demographic factors, care givers enrolled in park district infant and toddler programs appeared isolated from parenting role models. A need existed to provide parent education and resource material without detracting from the established purpose of the course.
The author designed and implemented a modification to a series of five, eight-week classes based on a demand-driven model which established the teacher as a resource person for parenting skills in addition to responsibility for the primary curriculum subject matter. Without diverting significant class time from the motor skills oriented classes, the program fostered interaction among the parents and caregivers in and out of class, solicited client concerns and interests about parenting Issues, and provided responses to those issues in the form of resource materials from the literature or prepared by the author. Each class session resulted in creation of materials which formed the basis of a permanent park district parent education reference library for use by future classes.
Results indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the program modifications and with the materials provided, by both students and park district supervisors. The success of the program depends on the ability of the teacher/ resource person to be responsive to parent needs. The resource library has been established as a component of the park district early childhood programs for the future. appendices include parent evaluation forms and questionnaires.