"It's Another Stage to Pass": The Kindergarten Transition Practices and Beliefs of Low-Income, Latina Mothers

• In Event: 67.067 - MTCC Roundtable Session 31
  In Roundtable Session: 67.067-9 - Promoting Language, Literacy, and School Readiness

Abstract

The transition to kindergarten is a critical developmental period, setting the stage for children’s long-term educational trajectories. Although research has shown that parental beliefs and practices are a critical factor in children’s success throughout their school careers, little is known about Latina mothers’ beliefs and practices in the early school years. Challenging deficit perspectives that often characterize low-income families of color, this qualitative study with 17 low-income, Latina mothers aims to better understand family beliefs and practices that promote children’s successful kindergarten transition. Preliminary findings suggest that despite parental risk factors (e.g., poverty, low educational attainment), mothers monitored and assessed their child’s skills, as well as communicated expectations via one-on-one conversations with their preschooler.

Authors

• Sarai Coba Rodriguez, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Robin L. Jarrett, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign