Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Sep-Oct;45(5):e431-e438.
doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000001295. Epub 2024 Jun 21.

Educational Values of Latino Families Participating in a School Readiness Intervention: Hopes and Implications for Pediatrics

Jaime W Peterson  1 , Alejandro Robles  2 , Veronica Ilene Underwood Carrasco  2 , Julia Zavala  3 , Nicole Almanzar  4 , Katharine E Zuckerman  2 , Janine Bruce  5
Affiliations

Educational Values of Latino Families Participating in a School Readiness Intervention: Hopes and Implications for Pediatrics

Jaime W Peterson et al. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2024 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Objective: To explore Latino parents' educational values and hopes for their preschool-aged children after a clinic school readiness (SR) intervention.

Methods: Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews of Latino parents regarding their perceptions of a novel SR coaching intervention (2016-2017). Parents who received the intervention were approached for interview (n = 74); 59 postintervention interviews were completed in English or Spanish, audio recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Iterative team-based coding and inductive thematic analysis of 47 interviews were conducted by 3 team members using Dedoose.

Results: Children were on average 4.5 years old, with the majority speaking Spanish at home (57%), and having preschool experience (81%). Mothers mostly had no paid employment (53%) and limited formal education. Four domains emerged: 1) education is valued and seen as a pathway to a successful life for children, and 2) while structural and cultural barriers exist, 3) Latino families are motivated and 4) trust providers to offer SR support. Parents suggested pediatricians could provide more SR knowledge to families and offer programs within primary care. Integration of findings are summarized in a framework for clinical practice.

Conclusion: Latino parents' trust in their pediatric providers, combined with their strong educational aspirations for their children, offers the pediatric clinic an opportunity to partner with families to reduce systemic SR barriers. Pediatric providers can support Latino parents in preparing their children for school through culturally responsive, strengths-based approaches that build on their educational aspirations, value existing SR efforts, offer SR knowledge around early literacy and math, and build connections to early childhood programs.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Conceptual Framework of Latino Parent Educational Values and Implications for Pediatric Practice
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Fiscella K, Kitzman H. Disparities in academic achievement and health: the intersection of child education and health policy. Pediatrics. 2009/03// 2009;123(3):1073–1080. doi: 10.1542/peds.2008-0533 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Duncan GJ, Dowsett CJ, Claessens A, et al. School readiness and later achievement. Developmental Psychology. 2007/11// 2007;43(6):1428–1446. doi: 10.1037/0012-1649.43.6.1428 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Garcia E, Weiss E. Education inequalities at the school starting gate: Gaps, trends, and strategies to address them. 2017. September 27. Accessed April 2, 2018. https://www.epi.org/publication/education-inequalities-at-the-school-sta...
    1. Campbell F, Conti G, Heckman JJ, et al. Early childhood investments substantially boost adult health. Science. Mar 28 2014;343(6178):1478–85. doi: 10.1126/science.1248429 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Lee VE, Burkham D. Inequality at the starting gate: Social background differences in achievement as children begin kindergarten. Economic Policy Institute. 2002. Washington DC;