Effects of a two-generation preschool programme on receptive language skill in low-income Canadian children

• Published in: Early child development and care Vol. 181; no. 3; pp. 397 - 412
• Main Authors: Benzies, Karen, Edwards, Nancy, Tough, Suzanne, Nagan, Kimberly, Mychasiuk, Richelle, Keown, Leslie-Anne, Donnelly, Carlene
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 01.04.2011
• Subjects: Children; cross-cultural comparison; Cultural Differences; Cultural Pluralism; Early Childhood Education; Early Intervention; Early intervention programmes; Education; Families; family; Family Programs; intervention studies; language; Language Change; Language Culture Relationship; Language Skills; Language Tests; Low Income Groups; Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test; poverty; preschool; Preschool Children; Preschool Education; Preschool Evaluation; Preschools; Pretests Posttests; Program Effectiveness; Program Evaluation; Receptive Language; Vocabulary; Vocabulary Development
• ISSN: 0300-4430; 1476-8275
• DOI: 10.1080/03004430903424579

We evaluated the effectiveness of a two-generation preschool programme (centre-based early childhood education, parenting education and family support) on receptive language skills in children living in culturally diverse families with low income. Using a with-in subject pre-test/post-test design, children (N = 112) showed a statistically significant improvement in receptive language skill as measured by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Third Edition. At post-test, the children continued to score below typically developing children of the same age. There were no statistically significant differences on receptive language skill with regard to child gender, culture, caregiver education, nor involvement in child welfare services. Only for children of Aboriginal ancestry (n = 40) was the amount of time spent in the programme significantly correlated with the amount of positive change in receptive language skill. When designing early intervention programmes for families with low income, targeting the specific needs of cultural sub-groups may improve outcomes.