Parent motivations for enrolling their young children in early childhood programs: an application of the theory of planned behaviour

ABSTRACT

This study used the theory of planned behaviour to identify and determine the relative influence of factors influencing parents’ decisions to enrol their young children (3 to 5 years old) in early childhood programs at a specific museum venue. An eliciting questionnaire was distributed to museum members with at least one child 3–5 years old to elicit outcome expectancies, normative beliefs, and control beliefs, and these responses were developed into items for the main questionnaire. Regression and correlation analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with parents’ intention to enrol their children. Parents across socioeconomic and educational backgrounds indicated they wanted to enrich their children’s lives. Access to resources was the strongest predictor of parent motivations to enrol their children. Findings have implications for normative parenting constructs and for broader issues of resource access for early childhood programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Early childhood
• museums
• theory of planned behaviour
• leisure programs
• parenting

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Stephen Ashton and Kari Nelson at Thanksgiving Point Institute for their collaboration.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rachel A. McGovern

Rachel A. McGovern, PhD, is an instructor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on the intersection between leisure, child development, and family studies. She specializes in understanding the association between early play and leisure experiences in family contexts and the optimal development and well-being of young children. She also studies the psychosocial and cognitive factors influencing parenting strategies for organizing their young children’s time use, and she seeks to empower parents to intentionally design and implement developmentally appropriate experiences to promote healthy relationships and growth.

Camilla J. Hodge

Camilla J. Hodge, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Experience Design and Management Department of the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. Dr. Hodge’s research centers on identifying and optimizing determinants of social connection through intentionally designed and shared experiences. Specifically, Dr. Hodge’s research has focused on relational and developmental outcomes of shared leisure experiences (i.e., family leisure) in the context of parent and child relationships and sibling relationships. Her research focuses on identifying the conditions under which shared family experiences lead to positive outcomes for individuals and families, and the processes that may better explain why some shared family experiences may lead to positive outcomes. Through her research, Dr. Hodge seeks to empower families and practitioners to effectively design and use family experiences (a potentially enjoyable and accessible treatment mechanism) to promote individual and family development and well-being.

Edward Ruddell

Edward Ruddell, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah where he teaches numerous theory, research methods, and statistics courses. He also teaches courses in natural resources recreation and the philosophy of leisure. His research interests are in scenic beauty and restorative environments. He also conducts research in interpretation and the social psychology of communication.