Differential exposure to early childhood education services and mother–toddler interaction

This study examined the associations of exposure to early childhood education (ECE) services upon 2.5-year-old children's task persistence and enthusiasm and their mothers’ authoritative and authoritarian behavior and support stimulation. Families participated in the Infant Health and Development Program, an eight-site randomized comprehensive ECE to enhance the development of low birth weight, premature infants. Exposure was measured for 269 families who received at least one home visit and 1 day at the Child Development Center (CDC): 131 with lower exposure (64 ± 11.6 home visits and 206 ± 53 CDC days) and 138 with higher exposure (67 ± 9.2 home visits and 301 ± 21 CDC days). These two groups were compared to the follow-up group (540 with no exposure). Compared to no exposure, high exposure was associated with greater child enthusiasm and persistence and maternal support stimulation. Infant and mother test scores and temperament/depression scores, child's sex, and ethnicity were examined as moderators. Compared to no exposure, high exposure was related to maternal authoritative behavior toward girls, less authoritarian behavior for mothers with lower PPVT scores, and greater task enthusiasm from Black children.