Ready for Kindergarten: A Parent Program Designed to Encourage Conversation During the Early Childhood Years

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Research in Early Education and Child Development

Abstract

Parents’ decontextualized talk, or conversations about the non-present (e.g., talk about the past) is associated with children’s oral language skills at kindergarten entry. However, it remains unknown whether it is possible to boost parents’ talk about these topics, and if so, whether this boost corresponds to increases in child outcomes. The present study describes a parent training program designed to educate parents about decontextualized talk and why it is important for children’s academic success. Preliminary results suggest that this one-time training session increased parents’ talk over a one-month period, and these effects transferred to children’s talk about the non-present. Results are discussed in terms of benefits for kindergarten readiness.

Authors

• Kathryn Leech, University of Maryland - College Park

• Meredith Rowe, Harvard University