Adolescent Parenting and Parent-Child Communication.

In this study, we are investigating whether a school-based intervention program can help adolescent parents communicate more effectively with their infant and toddler children.

Children born to teen parents are at heightened risk of experiencing a range of health and developmental problems. Without intervention, teen mothers are less likely than older mothers to speak or respond to their infants, and they often have an immature or inaccurate understanding of their child's development and age-specific needs. Comprehensive school-based services have been shown to produce positive outcomes for adolescent parents and their children. The Minneapolis Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting Program (TAPPP), a school-based program, teaches parenting skills and gives adolescent parents feedback and guidance to help them become more sensitive and responsive, encouraging their young child’s learning in a positive and affirming context.

Preliminary analyses of parent-child interactions during free play and shared book reading suggest that the literacy-rich TAPPP environment promotes mother-child communication. Ongoing analyses are exploring individual differences in the impact of the TAPP Program.

Pictured above from left to right: Katie Schaefer '06, Michelle Wiersma '05, Amy Miller '05, Gretchen VanderLinden '07, Carrie Wiersma '05 and Dana Gross