How Do Teen Parents/Caregivers View the Needs of Young Children?

• In Event: Child and Family Experience in Early Learning Settings

Abstract

Identifying the needs of young children and their families is essential to making policy and implementing programs that support child development. This research employed a survey to investigate the perspectives of teen parents/caregivers regarding the needs of young children in the areas of early learning and education, health and wellbeing, and family/community. The results showed that teen parents/caregivers prioritized finding high-quality education programs, knowing school readiness expectations, understanding child development, finding healthcare providers, having enough family time, developing strong relationships with children, and having a support system of family and friends. When disaggregated by race, Black teen parents/caregivers and White teen parents/caregivers reported different priorities regarding child needs.

Authors

• Xumei Fan, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Leigh K. D'Amico, University of South Carolina

• Sandra Linder, Clemson University

• Montana Cain