Building early relationships: a review of caregiver–child interaction interventions for use in community-based early childhood programmes

Abstract

Children's early relationships with their caregivers are important for later developmental outcomes, both proximally and distally, and enhanced caregiver–child relationships may promote positive outcomes at both the individual and family levels. In this article, we review six evidence-based caregiver–child interaction interventions that can be translated for use by staff in community-based early childhood programmes serving children between the ages of birth and five years. Early childhood programmes selecting a parenting intervention have opportunities to set priorities across a number of relevant criteria, ranging from the theoretical basis of the intervention to more practical issues such as the time commitment for families and staff requirements. To provide a starting point for such considerations, we compare the interventions' approaches and associated training requirements, summarise the evidence base for each intervention, and identify areas of divergence and common themes across the six selected interventions.

Keywords:

• caregiver–child intervention
• early childhood
• early relationships
• prevention programmes

Notes on contributors

Jennifer A. Vu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Delaware. Her research areas include young children's social–emotional development and affiliative relationships.

Jason T. Hustedt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Delaware. His research areas include parent–child interactions, outcomes associated with early childhood programmes, and early childhood policies.

Wendy M. Pinder is a graduate student in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Myae Han is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Delaware. Her research area is early childhood education.