Impact of Head Start on Children's Social-Emotional Outcomes: Moderation Effects of Parental Outcomes

• In Event: Developmental Trajectories: Insights From Longitudinal Data

Abstract

Using the Head Start Impact Study Data, this secondary data analysis examines impacts of Head Start enrollment and parental behaviors on social-emotional outcomes. Study questions were: : 1) Do children enrolled in Head Start have higher social outcomes?; ) Do parental outcomes affect children’s SE outcomes?; 3) Does Head Start’s impact on children’s social outcomes differ depending on parental outcomes? Children who enrolled Head Start had higher child-parental relationship scores and fewer behavioral problems. Positive parenting behaviors, such as reading frequently to children, using safe parenting practices, and not using spanking, time-outs, or authoritarian practices, positively associated with children’s higher social-emotional scores. Further, Head Start impact was more prevalent for children of parents who provide positive parenting skills.

Authors

• Kyunghee Lee, Michigan State University

• Kayla Kreutzer, Michigan State University