Survey
Reveals What Adults Know (& Don’t Know) About Child Development
Findings
Indicate Adults Feel Less Prepared To Be Parents
HOUSTON
, Texas – How much do Houston area adults know about parenting
and child development? Not enough, according to a phone survey conducted
by Early Connections, a project of Collaborative for Children.
A survey of 553 adults in the Houston area, in addition to 103 adults in the East End area of Houston, was administered to determine what Houston parents think about how young children
learn and develop and to seek their opinions about public
policy affecting young children.
Results
of the new survey were compared to an initial survey conducted
by Early Connections in 2002 to see if the general public
has improved its knowledge about child development or changed
any opinions about child care. The initial 2002 results indicated
that Houston parents needed and desired more information on
parenting their young children.
The
new survey results show that more adults are aware of the
importance of talking and reading to babies and young children
than they were in 2002, but there is still confusion about
expectations of children at different ages and stages of development,
about the most beneficial ways to learn language, and the
ability of children to sense stress in their environment.
“This misinformation and lack of understanding by adults create
unrealistic expectations about appropriate behaviors at various
ages. This can lead to inappropriate discipline and inadequate
nurturance and care for the child,” said John Sargent, M.D.,
Baylor College of Medicine and Early Connections Professional
Advisory Committee member. “This study reinforces the need
for adults to understand the critical importance of a child’s
first six years and age appropriate behavior of children during
their developmental stages.” Research has demonstrated that
positive early experiences are essential to a child’s healthy
growth and development.
Survey
results were compared to the initial survey, and highlights
of the new data include:
•
54% of respondents do not understand that children begin thinking
good and bad things about themselves as early as two years
of age. ( Child experts say this lack of information may lead
in some cases to low self-esteem and possibly depression.)
•
49% of adults think that children can learn as much language
from television as from talking with another person. (Child
experts say that positive, face-to-face interactions between
adults and young children are one of the most effective ways
to develop language.)
•
The top issues facing parents of small children, as reported
in the survey are: education, 29%; teaching right from wrong,
morals, conduct and discipline, 20%; safety, 16%; and daycare,
13%.
•
49% of respondents believe that a 15 month-old should be expected
to share toys. (Child experts say that children should
not be expected to share until they are 3 ˝ years old.)
The
complete survey results are available online at www.earlyconnect.org
.
Collaborative
for Children works to improve the quality of early care and
education through educational programs for parents and early
education professionals, public awareness campaigns, and efforts
to strengthen the overall early care and education system.
“We are working in the community to educate parents about
the critical importance of a child’s first six years. Our
Early Connections project provides educational messages through
the local media and through neighborhood-based dissemination
points to provide helpful information to parents and other
adults in the community about the simple, everyday interactions
that are most important to stimulating healthy development,”
states Carol Shattuck , President of Collaborative for Children.
Early
Connections, a project of Collaborative for Children, encourages
parents, caregivers and others in the community to call its
FREE Early Connections InfoLine at 713-464-0800
(Or, toll free at 1-877-511-KIDS). The Early Connections InfoLine
is a bilingual service for parents and caregivers of children
ages zero to six, offering answers to questions, simple tips,
and free information.
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