Publication
Needs Assessment Toddler Parenting Resource
| Contents: | 1. Introduction 2. Main findings 3. Overview 4. Conclusions Appendix 1: Toddler resource questionnaire Summary |
Summary
Introduction
In 2002 HEBS commissioned an evaluation of their Ready Steady Baby publication. This is currently provided to first time mothers during pregnancy and provides comprehensive information on pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood up to the age of one year, and in less detail up to the age of three. A recent evaluation of this resource indicated the need to provide more detailed information about toddler parenting. Therefore, in January 2003 HEBS commissioned this research to identify the priorities of health and other professionals in relation to the issues that could be usefully included in a publication supporting parents of toddlers.
Aims and methodology
The key aim of the research was to establish the views of both parents and involved professionals as to the priority topic areas that should be included in the development of a potential new resource on toddler parenting.
A two-stage approach was adopted, employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and drawing its sample from four Area Health Boards (Dumfries & Galloway, Greater Glasgow, Highland and Lothian). Initial qualitative interviews were conducted with both parents and professionals with a view to gathering insight into the priority issues for a toddler parenting resource, and providing input into the development of the subsequent quantitative questionnaire. Parents in the sample were drawn from both genders, a spread of age from 20-50 years across the social spectrum, and including both first time and experienced parents.
The questionnaire was mailed for completion to all relevant professionals (ie those involved in working with parents of toddlers aged 1-3 years) in the four selected Area Health Boards. A 30% response rate was achieved, providing a total sample base of 1001. The professional groups who comprised the greater proportion of the sample were: nursery nurses/managers (32%), health visitors (29%) and GPs (14%).
Parents
The needs and issues raised by parents fell into two main areas: emotional and practical. It was evident that many of the specific issues raised stemmed from a lack of understanding of toddler behaviour per se, and an inability to manage their own and others’ expectations in this stage of parenting. Many parents expressed a need for strategies to help build confidence in their parenting skills and thereby enable them to facilitate the development of their toddler.
First time parents in particular felt they were operating in something of a vacuum, with little or no frame of reference against which to gauge the ‘acceptability’ of their toddler’s behaviour and their own emotions. As a result, they experienced a strong sense of living from one moment to the next, relying on impulse and intuition, with little control over events.
The key requirement therefore related to straightforward, manageable strategies, which could easily be implemented in individual situations. It was evident, however, that it would be crucial for these practical strategies to be couched within a framework which enabled general understanding of the issues relating to toddler development and parenting.
The key practical parenting issues which were raised by parents related to: behaviour management, emotional and social development of the child, feeding, sleep, toilet training, and physical development and health.
In terms of psycho-social/emotional issues, there was a great deal of consensus with regard to parental needs: all sought to be more in control of their situation with respect to raising their toddler, to be more accepting of the range of emotions they experienced as being ‘normal’, and to be reassured that they were not alone in these experiences.
The main topics highlighted related to: developing confidence in their own parenting skills, handling stress and frustration, coming to terms with feelings of guilt stemming from their own behaviour/feelings towards the toddler, dealing with negative emotions, feeling valued and retaining a sense of individuality (an issue that was particularly expressed by mothers), time management and sources of support.
The overall need therefore related to guidance that would enable parents to manage their own feelings and behaviour, to implement practical parenting strategies and therefore to feel more positive and empowered.
Professionals
There was a clear recognition of an existing gap that would be satisfied by a toddler parenting resource. Many regarded such a written resource as potentially providing a starting point for discussing the issues with parents, and also as a source of ‘anonymous’ access to information and advice for those parents who might be reluctant to seek professional advice.
The primary concern expressed related to positively facilitating the development of the child within a framework of providing support and reassurance to parents, focusing on positive interaction and addressing the emotional needs of both parents and toddlers.
Among the professional sample as a whole, four key areas were highlighted in both the interview and survey data as the most valuable for inclusion in a new toddler parenting resource: positive parenting (83% of the sample rating as ‘very valuable’), behaviour management (82%), emotional development of child (81%) and physical/social development (78%). These same four areas were also selected as the top priority topics for inclusion.
The body of the report lists the key issues that professionals felt should be covered under each of the topic areas. In this summary, we highlight only the issues that were mentioned most often under each of the key priority topics:
• Emotional development (ranked as a top 3 topic by 67% of the sample)
Key issues: communication and interaction, confidence building, relationships with adults and other children and independence.
• Positive parenting (ranked as a top 3 topic by 57% of the sample)
Key issues: encouragement/support, active play, special needs and gender issues.
• Physical/social development (ranked as a top 3 topic by 48% of the sample)
Key issues: socialisation, language development, active play and walking.
• Behaviour management (ranked as a top 3 topic by 42% of the sample)
Key issues: unacceptable behaviour, discipline, tantrums, sharing and crying.
80% of the professionals surveyed, felt that a toddler parenting resource would prove very valuable for direct use by parents, while 53% anticipated that it would prove very valuable for professionals in supporting parents.
Format
The majority of professionals (84%) felt that the most appropriate format for such a resource would be a printed booklet. It was suggested that the internal layout should be colourful, well broken up with photographs and boxes, and employing realistic case studies and Q&A sections.
The use of clear, jargon-free language was thought to be essential. Both professionals and parents indicated that the appropriate tone adopted in the resource would be fundamental to its uptake. The ideal tone was perceived as being empathetic and reassuring, with an approach that avoided any sense of didacticism. Both tone and stylistic approach would clearly indicate that the guidance provided was intended to be of practical benefit.
Professional training
More than a third of the professionals who participated in the survey, (37%) felt that they could benefit from training in some area relating to providing support to parents of toddlers. This was highest amongst health visitors (42%) and nursery nurses (39%). Of those who felt they needed some training, 73% wanted this to be in the area of practical parenting advice, with 57% seeking training in providing emotional support for parents.