Strengthening Child Rearing in
Portage County: Evaluation of
Parenting the Second and
Third Years Instructional
Newsletter Series
By
Brenda Janke
UW-Extension


12 Issue Set of Parenting Newsletters

Continues in Footsteps of Parenting
The First Year Series


Available Bi-Monthly to Parents
During Their Child’s Second and
Third Year
Matched to Child’s Age

nd
rd

Early Experience Has Big Impact on Child
Development

Parents Establish Patterns of Child Rearing
Early On

Lack of Knowledge About Children Can Lead to Incompetent Parenting

Impact of First Year Series May Be Maintained

New Parenting Issues Emerge in Second and
Third Years


Age-Paced to Reach Parents at a
“Teachable Moment”

Reaches Socially Isolated Families

Can Be Shared With Others

Low Cost

Available in Spanish

Easy to Read and Understand (Written at
5 th Grade Reading Level)

Developed by University of
Wisconsin-Extension for Two Goals:

To Promote Competent Parenting

To Prevent Abusive Parenting


Sample Size: 72 Families

Response Rate to Questionnaire Survey:
33%

Most Respondents Were Mothers (96%)

Only 3% Were Single Parents

About Half (53%) Were First Time
Parents

35 or greater
Age of Respondents
20-24
4%
12%
25-29
43%
41%
30-34

About Half Had a College Degree
Parents' Formal Education
39%
4 Yr. College Degree
16%
2 Yr. College Degree
44%
High School Grad.
1%
No High School Degree
0% 25% 50%
Percentage of Respondents

Only About 3% Had Family Incomes in the Poverty Range
Family Incomes, 2000
52%
$50,000 or more
45%
$20,000 to 49,999
1.5%
$14,000 to 19,999
Less than $14,000
0%
1.5%
20% 40%
Percentage of Respondents
60%

 60% Said They Read All Articles in All
Issues
 56% Save the Newsletters as a Reference

Readership Nearly Doubled By
Sharing
"Does anyone else read your copy of the newsletters?"
No
29%
Yes, Spouse or Partner
Yes, Baby's Grandparent
Yes, Friend Who Has Children
10%
Yes, Other Relative or Friend
10%
7%
64%
0% 20% 40% 60%
Percentage of Respondents


“My husband and I have both found the information in your newsletter useful.
Thank you!”

“I think the newsletter is an excellent source of information for my family to follow along with our child and how he is doing and where he should be for his age.”

Parents Rate the Newsletters “Very
Useful” for Advice More Often Than Any
Other Source.
Usefulness of Each Source of Parenting
Information for Parents
Parenting the 2nd & 3rd Year
Other Parents & Friends
Physician or Nurse
Your Relatives & Inlaws
Books, Magazines & Newspapers
50%
43%
39%
36%
Child Care Provider
County Health Nurse
The Internet, World Wide Web
NOTE: Other possible responses were "Somewhat
Useful" and "Not Useful".
10%
7%
21%
0% 30% 60%
Percentage of Parents
Who Answered "Very Useful"
61%

Parents Commented On Their
Usefulness:


“These are my main source for learning. I look forward to each issue. Many ideas to promote a very smart and happy child.
Thank you!”
“We have kept every newsletter from birth to 3 years and reference to them periodically…When the letter arrives, it’s the first thing I read! Excellent!”

Parents Believe That Reading the
Newsletters Has Improved Their
Parenting.

Examples:
“Helps with discipline issues. Different ways of interacting with a child. Different games or toys.”

“Definitely, we try a lot of things in these newsletters, anything from getting kids to eat to discipline.”

Parents Report Changing Child-
Rearing Behaviors in 6 Key Areas
Self-Reported Behavior Change
"Reading the newsletters caused me to..."
"Involve my child when we are doing household tasks."
"Explain 'why' when I tell my child to do something."
74%
70%
"Talk more with my child."
"Set rules and firm limits with my child."
"Make the house safer for my child."
"Slap or spank my child less often."
39%
61%
57%
51%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Percentage of Respondents

74% Said That Reading the Newsletters
Caused Them to “Involve My Child When
We Are Doing Household Chores.”

Teaches Children Responsibility

Fosters Sense of Pride and Self
Confidence

Promotes Independence/Self Reliance

Creates Sense of Family Unity


“They like to help with everything even if we’re not doing the exact same thing…I always thought kids were too young and thought they should wait. Boy was I wrong!”

“Some things done easier by myself are more fun and educational for the child when including the child.”

61% Said the Newsletters Caused
Them To “Talk More With My Child.”

Toddlers are “Ready” for Language
Acquisition

Talking with Child Contributes to
Vocabulary Growth

Children with Larger Vocabularies Score
Higher on Language and Cognitive Tests

Language Skills Make Learning to Read
Easier


“I find that talking and explaining things to them make them understand more.”

“Explain things more to him instead of just saying no or don’t. Play more games, sing more songs.”

“We read and discuss things together.”

About Half of Readers (46%) Said the Newsletters Caused Them to Be

Firmer in Setting Limits with Their Child, and

More Likely to Explain the Reasons for
Rules and Limits.

Prior Research Has Shown That Parents
Who Do Both of These –Firm But
Responsive — Have Children Who:

Become More Competent

Are More Receptive to Parental Influence

Show Higher Self-Esteem

Comply With Rules Better

Develop Inner Controls




“Helped guide me as to how to set rules – using terms that make my child feel good and cooperate while sticking to the rules.”
“Setting limits helps him more than myself!”
“They learn by example as I learned from a lot of examples given in the newsletters.”

Half (51%) Said the Newsletters
Caused Them “To Make the House
Safer for My Child.”

Risk of Accidental Injury is Reduced

Safe Homes Allow Children to Explore

Safe Exploration Promotes Intellectual
Growth and Development of Skills



“Installed many safety locks, gate, railing guard, moved meds and cleaners to top shelves, etc.”
“Crawl around on ground for safety check at child’s height.”

39% Said They Have Learned to “Spank or Slap My Child Less Often.”
The Newsletters Provide Many Alternative
Ways to Teach and Discipline Children.

Other Research Shows, Less
Physical Punishment Predicts:

Children Less Violent.

Parenting Less Likely to Become
Abusive.

Children More Likely to Develop Internal
Controls.




“It has reassured me my ‘no hitting’ rule is good. Many relatives/friends spank. I thought I was wrong not to.”
“I slow down and try to find alternatives, explain, redirect.”
“Timeouts for him (or me).”


First-Time Parents Who Are
Inexperienced With Children .

First-Time Parents Reported Greater
Change in Parenting Than Experienced
Parents.
In particular, first time parents were significantly more likely to involve their child when doing household tasks, as a result of reading the newsletters, compared to experienced parents
(p < .05).

“Reading the newsletters caused me to...
"Involve my child when we are doing household tasks."
"Explain 'why' when I tell my child to do something."
"Talk more with my child."
"Set rules and firm limits with my child."
"Make the house safer for my child."
"Slap or spank my child less often."
62%
66%
75%
53%
69%
86%
37%
43%
56%
58%
50%
53%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Percentage Agreeing
Experienced
First-time



“This newsletter is wonderful!! As a first time parent I looked forward to receiving it… It has offered new ideas and tips and also reminders of things we sometimes forget in a busy family life. I hope you continue to provide it to all parents of infants and toddlers.”
“The newsletter is very informational on the first child. It is very helpful to let you know that at this stage your child should be doing this or that…”

 Common Sources of Bias

Response Set Bias

Social Desirability Bias

Parents Were Asked About Something
That Might Have Been in the Newsletter
But Wasn’t

“Because of the parenting newsletters…

…I have changed the kind of clothing my child wears.”

…I changed how I wake my child in the morning.”


Parents Really Read the Newsletters.

Parents Share the Newsletters With Others.

Parents Rate the Newsletters Highly Useful.

Parents Report Positive Changes in Six Key
Parenting Behaviors.

Inexperienced Parents Reported Learning the
Most.

Recommendation: Continue
Distribution of The Newsletter Series.

Based on Survey Results

Based on Parents’ Comments




“Great newsletter! Every parent should read this.”
“Please don’t stop sending these newsletters. I just wish more people read them and followed the advice you give. All the information I have read is great.”
“I looked forward to reading the newsletter. It had ideas that I didn’t have or a better way of doing things... I hope you continue this program for other parents and when I have my second child.”







St. Michael’s Hospital
Mental Health Association of Portage County
(Penny Schmitt)
United Way
Kiwanis Clubs of Plover and Stevens Point
Retired Senior Volunteer Project From Lincoln
Center
CAP Fund of Milwaukee


Dr. Dave Riley,
UW-Madison/Extension

Carol Ostergren,
UW-Madison