Promoting caregiver involvement at the public library: An evaluation of a math and science storytime program for young children
IntroductionPublic libraries are asset institutions that provide important spaces for families to engage in meaningful, authentic STEM learning. However, limited budgets and a model centered on open-access and broad inclusion makes conducting rigorous evaluations in these spaces, such as randomized...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1049694/full |
| _version_ | 1811310385001660416 |
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| author | Larissa Gaias Michelle Taylor Megan E. Pratt Mariko Whelan |
| author_facet | Larissa Gaias Michelle Taylor Megan E. Pratt Mariko Whelan |
| author_sort | Larissa Gaias |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionPublic libraries are asset institutions that provide important spaces for families to engage in meaningful, authentic STEM learning. However, limited budgets and a model centered on open-access and broad inclusion makes conducting rigorous evaluations in these spaces, such as randomized control trials, challenging. There is a need to consider evaluation designs that consider both rigor and feasibility. The aims of the present study were to: (1) describe an innovative interactive parent–child interactive storytime program, Fun with Math and Science (FMS); and (2) conduct a preliminary evaluation of FMS in a large, urban public library setting, using a quasi-experimental static group comparison design.Methods and ResultsPost-test scores for caregivers who completed the program in the fall or winter (n = 80) were compared to pre-test scores for caregivers who completed the program the following spring (n = 35); Fall/winter caregivers scored higher on program items related to concrete behaviors to support math and science learning, but significant differences were not found on items related to caregiving beliefs or general caregiving practices. Demographic differences were also found related to program outcomes.DiscussionResults are discussed both in terms of implications for the development and implementation of caregiver-child interactive programming, as well as the use of innovative analytic approaches to program evaluation in community settings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T09:57:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eadbe8c76af042e1b989a7e941734dc6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T09:57:59Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-eadbe8c76af042e1b989a7e941734dc62022-12-22T02:51:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782022-12-011310.3389/fpsyg.2022.10496941049694Promoting caregiver involvement at the public library: An evaluation of a math and science storytime program for young childrenLarissa Gaias0Michelle Taylor1Megan E. Pratt2Mariko Whelan3Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, United StatesDepartment of Family and Consumer Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United StatesOregon Child Care Research Partnership, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United StatesScottsdale Public Library, Scottsdale, AZ, United StatesIntroductionPublic libraries are asset institutions that provide important spaces for families to engage in meaningful, authentic STEM learning. However, limited budgets and a model centered on open-access and broad inclusion makes conducting rigorous evaluations in these spaces, such as randomized control trials, challenging. There is a need to consider evaluation designs that consider both rigor and feasibility. The aims of the present study were to: (1) describe an innovative interactive parent–child interactive storytime program, Fun with Math and Science (FMS); and (2) conduct a preliminary evaluation of FMS in a large, urban public library setting, using a quasi-experimental static group comparison design.Methods and ResultsPost-test scores for caregivers who completed the program in the fall or winter (n = 80) were compared to pre-test scores for caregivers who completed the program the following spring (n = 35); Fall/winter caregivers scored higher on program items related to concrete behaviors to support math and science learning, but significant differences were not found on items related to caregiving beliefs or general caregiving practices. Demographic differences were also found related to program outcomes.DiscussionResults are discussed both in terms of implications for the development and implementation of caregiver-child interactive programming, as well as the use of innovative analytic approaches to program evaluation in community settings.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1049694/fullcommunity program evaluationpublic librariesearly childhoodschool readinessSTEM educationparenting program |
| spellingShingle | Larissa Gaias Michelle Taylor Megan E. Pratt Mariko Whelan Promoting caregiver involvement at the public library: An evaluation of a math and science storytime program for young children Frontiers in Psychology community program evaluation public libraries early childhood school readiness STEM education parenting program |
| title | Promoting caregiver involvement at the public library: An evaluation of a math and science storytime program for young children |
| title_full | Promoting caregiver involvement at the public library: An evaluation of a math and science storytime program for young children |
| title_fullStr | Promoting caregiver involvement at the public library: An evaluation of a math and science storytime program for young children |
| title_full_unstemmed | Promoting caregiver involvement at the public library: An evaluation of a math and science storytime program for young children |
| title_short | Promoting caregiver involvement at the public library: An evaluation of a math and science storytime program for young children |
| title_sort | promoting caregiver involvement at the public library an evaluation of a math and science storytime program for young children |
| topic | community program evaluation public libraries early childhood school readiness STEM education parenting program |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1049694/full |
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