Parent training improves pre-schoolers cognitive skills
February 16th 2008 02:40
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Study hails parenting courses
From: The Press Association Extract - link at top
A crash course in parenting skills can significantly help children at risk of being left on the educational scrap heap, a controversial study suggests.
Scientists in the US tested an eight-week-long programme aimed at showing parents at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder where they are going wrong.
Mothers and fathers were coached in better ways to communicate with their pre-school children and keep them under control.
Parents reported dramatic reductions of stress in the home, and better behaviour from their children.
Tests and brain scans also showed significant improvements in the children's language-acquisition skills, memory and mental performance.
Dr Courtney Stevens, from the University of Oregon said: "Our findings are important because they suggest that kids who are at high risk for school failure can be helped through these interventions."
A total of 28 children aged three to five took part in the research. They were split into two groups, with the parents of one being enrolled into the training sessions.
Both groups of children underwent brain scans and performance tests both before and after the eight-week research period, and had their results compared. Dr Stevens added: "Even with these small numbers of children, the parent training appears very promising."
The children would be followed for several years to see if the improvements continued and benefited them at school.
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