Introduction
As children transition into kindergarten, they face new expectations and challenges that require a solid foundation of school-readiness skills. These skills include attention, behavioral regulation, and social competencies. However, many children enter school lacking these basic competencies, putting them at risk for behavioral and adjustment problems. Research has shown that parenting interventions can significantly improve these outcomes by enhancing parenting skills. A recent study, "Using Motivational Interviewing to Improve Parenting Skills and Prevent Problem Behavior During the Transition to Kindergarten," highlights the efficacy of the Family Check-Up (FCU) intervention in achieving these goals.
Understanding the Family Check-Up Intervention
The FCU is a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention designed to engage parents in treatment to improve their parenting skills. This approach is particularly effective during the critical transition to kindergarten, where parental involvement can significantly influence a child's success. The study involved 365 families with kindergarten children, randomly assigned to receive the FCU or continue with school as usual. The FCU was adapted to include assessments that measure school readiness and parenting skills targeting the family-school relationship.
Key Findings from the Study
The study's findings underscore the importance of the FCU in improving parenting skills, which in turn, lead to reductions in child behavior problems. The intervention demonstrated significant improvements in parenting skills during the transition to school, which mediated improvements in both parent- and teacher-rated child behavior problems from kindergarten to second grade. This highlights the potential of embedding MI in family-centered interventions at kindergarten entry.
Implementing Motivational Interviewing for Better Outcomes
Motivational interviewing is a powerful tool that can be integrated into parenting interventions to enhance engagement and promote positive changes. By focusing on parents' motivation and readiness to change, MI encourages parents to become active participants in their child's school readiness and behavioral health. Practitioners can implement MI techniques such as open-ended questions, reflective listening, and eliciting change talk to support parents in making goal-directed changes.
Practical Implications for Practitioners
- Incorporate MI techniques into existing parenting interventions to enhance engagement and effectiveness.
- Focus on building strong family-school links to support children's school readiness and success.
- Use the FCU framework to provide tailored, strength-based support to families during the kindergarten transition.
- Encourage schools to adopt family-centered interventions that leverage parents' motivation to support their children's education.
Conclusion
The transition to kindergarten is a pivotal moment in a child's educational journey. By leveraging motivational interviewing and interventions like the Family Check-Up, practitioners can significantly enhance parenting skills and reduce problem behaviors, setting children up for long-term success. As practitioners, it is crucial to continue exploring and implementing evidence-based strategies that support families during this critical transition.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Using Motivational Interviewing to Improve Parenting Skills and Prevent Problem Behavior During the Transition to Kindergarten.
