Applying Intervention Mapping to develop an early childhood educators’ intervention promoting parent–child relationships

ABSTRACT

Supporting parent–child relationships is vital for children’s social and emotional development, future health and well-being. As children now spend significant amounts of time attending early childhood education and care settings, it is opportune that interventions be designed for educators to promote and nurture parent–child relationships. The aim of the current paper was to describe the systematic development of the Educator–Parent–Child Relationship (E-PCR) programme using six steps of the Intervention Mapping protocol. The results of a needs assessment lead to development of the Building Educator Knowledge (BEK) framework, logic model and matrices for programme, performance and change objectives. Theory-based methods and practical strategies were identified to develop intervention materials at three socio-ecological levels: (i) individual, (ii) interpersonal and (iii) organizational. Future evaluations will assess the implementation and effectiveness of the E–PCR programme.

KEYWORDS:

• Intervention mapping
• children’s social and emotional development
• parent–child relationships
• early childhood education and care
• intervention development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Amanda O’Connor is a PhD Candidate in the School of Psychology at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.

Helen Skouteris is a Professor in Developmental Psychology and leader of the Translation Science Theme of the Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development in the School of Psychology at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.

Andrea Nolan is a Professor of Early Childhood Education, in the School of Education, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.

Merrilyn Hooley PhD is a developmental psychologist in the School of Psychology at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.

Warren Cann is the Chief Executive Officer of the Parenting Research Centre, an intermediary organisation that aims to support innovation in parenting interventions, and honorary professor at the School of Psychology, Faculty of Health at Deakin University. He has a long-term interest in the application of adult capacity building practices in parenting and family support.

Janet Williams-Smith is the Director of Service Development and Strategy at Early Childhood Management Services, a not for profit early childhood organisation with a focus on social inclusion, quality and advocacy.

ORCID

Amanda O’Connor http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0185-561X

Helen Skouteris http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9959-5750

Andrea Nolan http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3519-6317