Teaching Parents a Strategy for Enhancing Infant Development

METZL, MARILYN NEWMAN. Teaching Parents a Strategy for Enhancing Infant Development. CmiLD DEVELOPMENT, 1980, 51, 583-586. 60 normal firstborn children of 2-parent, self-supporting families comprised the subject pool for this study. All infants and environments were tested in their homes at 6 weeks and 6 months, utilizing the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the HOME inventory. Subjects were divided into 3 groups at birth: control, mothers receiving a specific language stimulation program, and mothers and fathers receiving the program simultaneously. The control group and both treatment groups showed an increase in Bayley Mental Standard Scores, with infants whose parents received simultaneous training exhibiting the greatest gain over time. The HOME scores, measuring the adequacy of the home environment, also showed a training effect, but experimental groups did not differ significantly from each other. The implication of this study is that high-risk intervention strategies may benefit all children, regardless of income level, and that parents of firstborn children would benefit from preparation and assistance in helping their children achieve at maximum potential.