A Pragmatic Internet Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting and School Readiness in Early Childhood: Initial Evidence of Program Use and Satisfaction

Abstract

BackgroundInternet-based parenting programs have the potential to connect families to research-informed materials to promote positive child development. However, such programs can only succeed to the extent that the intended population engages with them.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate engagement in the 5-a-Day Parenting program, a technology-based program designed with low-income families in mind, to promote daily use of 5 specific parenting activities conducive to children’s school readiness. Following earlier pilot data, the program was enhanced with an initial motivational e-intervention and tailored text messages designed to promote engagement.MethodsParents were recruited from local childcare centers and through a participant registry. We examined rates of receipt of program text messages and use of video-based content on the program website, 3 factors that may affect website use, and satisfaction with key program elements.ResultsA total of 360 parents of young children learned about the study and had the opportunity to use the 5-a-Day Parenting website. Of these, 94 parents participated in the study, and 33% (31/94) accessed the video-based content on the website at least once. No association was found between website use and program recruitment approach, program-affiliation message, sociocontextual risk, and baseline use of the five parenting activities. Satisfaction with text messages and video-based content was high.ConclusionsFor some parents, technology-based programs appear useful; however, engagement could still be enhanced. Additional research should seek innovative strategies for promoting engagement in Web-based parenting programs.

Initial Evaluation of the Need for and Impact of a Pragmatic Internet-based Parenting Program to Promote Positive Parenting and School Readiness in Early Childhood

“…Of interest in this investigation, parents were asked to report on their child's and their demographic characteristics including child age, child gender, parent gender, parent race, and marital status. Items assessing parents' use of the 5 parenting activities were made by the research team to evaluate the program impact (see McGoron et al, 2019)-these items are embedded within the 5-a-Day Parenting Program and related to the specific focus of the program. Parents were asked to think back about their time with their children over the previous week.…”

“…The 5-a-Day Parenting Program ( McGoron et al, 2018;McGoron et al, 2019) was designed to use the high-reach potential of the internet and mobile technology (i.e. text messaging), but with a proactive approach to introduce the program to parents.…”

“…text messaging), but with a proactive approach to introduce the program to parents. The program centers on promotion of 5 daily parenting activities: reading to children, playing with children (one-on-one, in a way that is child-centered), expressing affection, family meal sharing, and following a bedtime routine (see McGoron et al, 2018;McGoron et al, 2019). The aim is to increase the frequency at which parents do these activities and provide guidance about how to maximize the positive impact of these activities (e.g., playing with children in a way that is responsive).…”

“…Text messages (part 2) include educational information and links to the video-based content on the 5-a-Day Parenting website (part 3). Past investigations have demonstrated the feasibility of the program (see McGoron et al, 2018), use of the program (McGoron et al, 2019), and parents' satisfaction with the program (McGoron et al, 2019).…”

“…Multiple important questions remain unanswered about the newly-developed 5-a-Day Parenting Program. First, while the parenting activities of focus were selected based on past research (see McGoron et al, 2019), the need for intervention related to these specific areas is unclear. That is, it is not clear what percent of parents are already doing these activities.…”