Published on September 2019 | Parenting, ECD

Parental Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Early Childhood Development among Low Income Urban Parents

The aim of the study was to examine parents’ current level of knowledge, attitudes and practices related to early childhood development (ECD). The findings found that few parents have good knowledge and practices regarding ECD although most of them have good level of attitude. These results indicate gaps among knowledge attitude and practices. Regarding child’s health and nutrition about 55% of infants were exclusively breastfed. Moreover, 45% infants received complementary liquids foods (typically around 4-5 months) and 12% were given infant formula. Interestingly, mothers engaged both controlling and indulgent feeding behaviors toward their child. Moreover, most of the mother used negative disciplinary techniques to guide their children. Finding on parental support for early learning found that 54% of households engaged in early and school readiness activities with their child. Only 25%, 3 to 5 year’s old children attended kindergarten school among them 92% children recognized letter or numbers. Only 8% parents perceived their child had some type of physical or learning difficulty despite most of them (94%) did not consult with others. However, 18% children had been seriously injured when parents leaving their child to someone else.