The Impact of a Summer Camp for Adolescent Mothers and their Young Children

Abstract

This study examined the impact of an early childhood community-outreach summer camp on teaching single adolescent mothers early communication tools and strategies to support interaction with their infants and toddlers who were language delayed or at risk for language delay. Twenty-two mothers and their children were taught communication strategies through the use of baby signs and Hanen techniques for parents. Pre-post knowledge and skills were assessed. Mothers also completed a post-camp satisfaction questionnaire. Overall, mothers learned the information on baby signs and communication strategies. They were positive about the impact of the camp program activities on the social-emotional and communicative relationship between themselves and their child.

Citation

Nwokah, E., Cupito, S. and McQuitty, D. (2014), "The Impact of a Summer Camp for Adolescent Mothers and their Young Children", Early Childhood and Special Education (Advances in Early Education and Day Care, Vol. 18), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 113-133. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0270-402120140000018006