Parenting is a minefield of information, with parents often feeling overwhelmed and criticised for what they do and don’t do. Many even feel that advice is contradictory, with leading professionals having opposing views. Both academic and educational authorities have identified an “achievement gap” as the cause of communities with deprivation, so authorities are working towards reducing it by improving children’s opportunities through better parenting.
Research published earlier this year (Ahun et al, 2024) considers the reported implementation characteristics of the most widely-used early childhood interventions that have been used across 41 countries, and found that the most frequently used programmes included Reach Up And Learn, Nurse Family Partnership, and Head Start. The intent of this study was to identify the most effective intervention demonstrating the greatest progress or change.
Reach Up and Learn aims to support mothers, children and home visitors in their understanding of child development in order to improve their child’s life successes. Based on a number of theorists, concepts have used include Vygotsky’s proximal zone of development, Piaget’s sensorimotor period (Uzgiris and Hunt), and Francis Palmer’s Concept Curriculum, with a focus on supporting disadvantaged children.
Nurse Family Partnership describes itself as a community health programme supporting first time parents based on consistent nurse visits from pregnancy up to 2 years. It does this by improving family diets, reducing substance misuse, improving responsible care and improving family economic self-sufficiency. This is based on work done by Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child.
Head Start is an American government approach to school readiness for children from birth to 5-years-old that has been used since 1965. By regularly monitoring progress in five key areas of development, early intervention needs may be identified in time to allow additional support for children to actively and successfully engage in kindergarten/nursery and later, in school.
Parenting Programmes: What Are The Most Effective Interventions?
The researchers found that programme reporting differed too widely to allow for clear comparison. However, the areas of interest that were listed gives some insight into areas that may impact effective child development opportunities:
- Nurturing Care Framework (good health; adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, security and safety, opportunities for learning)
- Use of existing parenting intervention
- Use of a manual
- Theory of change (conceptual framework)
- Behaviour change techniques
- Preparation (formative research, programme adaptations)
- Beneficiaries (universal or targeted, caregivers inclusion)
- Dosage (number, length, frequency, contact hours)
- Delivery modality (individual, group)
- Delivery setting (home, clinic, community)
- Intervention cost
- Characteristics (education, occupational status)
- Training (length and frequency of refresher sessions)
- Supervision (frequency and education of supervisors)
- Implementation evaluation (reach, fidelity, feasibility, acceptability)
One area of feedback was that having an underlying theory of change would improve our understanding of motivating effective caregiving practice. It was found that only half of the studies used an underlying theory of change. These were mainly based on Bandura’s social cognitive learning (observational learning) and Bowlby’s theory of human attachment (improving parent self-esteem for childcare). This involved the caregiver directly interacting with the child, while the professional used feedback and behaviour modelling to support the parent. More information on the additional research findings is available on the direct link to the paper.
The Role Of Music In Child Development
Our musical focus on lullabies is clearly linked to Bowlby’s theory of human attachment. From the beginning of time, history shows their use and benefits through multiple communities over the world. We now have three more “modern lullabies” for you to consider adding to your repertoire.
Star Light
Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight
Wish I may, wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight
This magical lullaby is based on wishing on shooting stars, a practice that humanity has done since the earlier times. Originally identified as American, this song travelled to England last century, and was used in Disney’s 1940 film of “Pinocchio”. This is a lovely song to sing with little ones lay on their backs in a darkened room, and either having twinkling lights around the room, or a single torch light, moving slowly across the ceiling.
Hava Nagila
Hava nagila, Hava nagila
Hava nagila, ve-nismeha
Hava nagila, Hava nagila
Hava nagila, ve-nismeha
Hava neranenah, Hava neranenah
Hava neranenah ve-nismeha
Hava neranenah, Hava neranenah
Hava neranenah ve-nismeha
Uru, uru, ahim!
Uru ahim be-lev sameah
Uru ahim be-lev sameah
Uru ahim be-lev sameah
Uru ahim be-lev sameah
Uru ahim
Be-lev sameah
This lovely traditional Jewish song of celebration has been recorded a number of times by many famous singers. It tells people to be happy and sing, and is often sung faster and faster each time that it is sung. Our version, as a lullaby, keeps the slow and steady rhythm the same, and the combination with the middle eastern melody keeps the tune interesting, while the repetition makes it easier to learn and join in. This is a lovely song that could be used while rocking little one, either in a blanket, hammock-style, or simply holding and rocking side to side.
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see
T’was grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
Than when I first believed
When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing His praise
Than when we’ve first begun
This traditional hymn of hope uses comparative words and opposites. Examples of this include being lost and found, being blind and seeing, having fear and faith. It ends with a vivid description of hope and light, in 3-4 timing, allowing for a slow waltz around a room. Holding little ones tight against your chest while singing or humming allows them to feel the sensation of creating music inside, producing a relaxing and calming sensation.
We may not be certain as to which parenting intervention is most effective at supporting child development, but we do know that empowering parents supports children. Perhaps consider sharing lullabies with parents, too?
