The educational resources and needs of mothers of preschool children from two socioeconomic levels

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the educational resources and needs of mothers of children aged 60 to 72 months and the differences between those of high and low socioeconomic status (SES).

Background

Parents have a crucial impact on their children's development in the preschool years. Mothers are especially challenged by the variety of information sources available and struggle with parenting decisions.

Method

Thirty-three structured interviews with mothers were carried out in one private and one public school, representing high and low SES, respectively.

Findings

Between the two SES groups, both similarities and differences were observed in terms of their educational resources and needs. The following themes emerged in the study: general sources of parenting information, challenges, the first source to consult when problems occur, topics preferred in a parent education program, and the phase of maternity in which they preferred to receive training. The two SES groups were similar in terms of their main challenges, the topics preferred in a parent education program, and the phase of maternity in which they preferred to receive education. Differences were observed in terms of the sources of parenting information, the first source to consult when problems occur, and some of the preferred topics of a parent education program.

Implications

These findings may be useful in revisiting existing parent education programs, or in creating new ones, for the caregivers of preschool children.