ERIC Number: EJ1486365
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Oct
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1471-3802
Available Date: 2025-08-11
Parental Engagement and Advocacy: Exploring Experiences of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Families in Inclusive Early Childhood Education
Sara Movahedazarhouligh1; Chelsea Warr1
Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, v25 n4 p1127-1144 2025
Early childhood (EC) education is increasingly becoming an inclusive environment where children with and without disabilities can learn and participate in shared daily activities and routines. Parental advocacy and engagement are pivotal factors in enhancing the quality of inclusion for children with special needs, meeting their unique requirements. Despite the inherent advantages of parental advocacy for children with special needs, research focusing on advocacy during the early childhood years remains limited. This study investigated the impact of parental advocacy and engagement among low-income parents on educational outcomes for children with disabilities in inclusive kindergarten settings in a southeastern state in the United States (US). The findings revealed notable disparities between the experiences of lower- and middle-income families. Participants discussed various elements that shaped their advocacy and engagement efforts, including knowledge, relationships and support. The paper presents a discussion of the findings and recommendations for future policy, research and practice.
Descriptors: Early Childhood Education, Students with Disabilities, Child Advocacy, Inclusion, Parent Participation, Socioeconomic Status, Economically Disadvantaged, Economic Factors, Social Influences, Special Needs Students, Kindergarten
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

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