How do parents and early intervention professionals utilize educational resources about infant development and play?

Abstract

Background: Parents utilize online sources to learn about health information, however few studies have examined where parents look for information about development or play for young children.

Aims: Investigate parents' and early intervention (EI) providers' practices and preferences regarding parent education about infant development and play.

Study design: Cross-sectional survey design.

Subjects: 112 parents and 138 EI providers participated.

Outcome measures: One survey probed where parents look for information and preferred methods for receiving information about infant development and play. A second survey identified the parent education sources used and perceived quality of sources available by EI providers. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted.

Results: 112 parents and 138 EI providers participated. A greater proportion of parents sought information about development than play. Overall, parents used internet searches and preferred websites for education about development and play; however, parents of infants at risk for developmental delay preferred receiving developmental information through home visits or classes. Most EI providers have not asked parents where they look for information. A greater proportion of EI providers agreed existing sources about development, rather than about play, are high quality, but identified the need to develop high-quality sources about both topics.

Conclusions: There are a variety of methods that parents access and prefer for education about infant development and play. EI providers and other healthcare professionals should discuss the methods with parents to support parents in their quest for information and ensure parents receive high-quality information.

Keywords: Development; Early intervention; Education; Infant; Parent; Play.