Activity Kits for Connection and Empowerment of Young Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Poster 7)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Sunday 8:00 a.m.
  In Poster Session: Building Home-School-Community Partnerships

Abstract

The Redacted Program is an outreach program developed in collaboration with Redacted Partners and local families that addressed the needs of the families with young children (2-3 year olds) during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this program, we designed, developed, and distributed developmentally-appropriate themed activity kits for families with young children to enjoy together. Surveys measuring parental empowerment were distributed at the beginning and at the end of the program. Preliminary analyses suggest that the program is effective in increasing parent’s sense of engagement and self-efficacy. Qualitative analyses of photos submitted by the families provide insight into how the kits are used at home. This work helps to build relationships with the community, allowing for further opportunities for participatory research.

Authors

• Chelsea Brown, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Eliana Colunga, University of Colorado - Boulder