ERIC Number: EJ898722
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Jul
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1538-6619
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Optimizing Mothers' Social Networks: Information-Sharing Strategies
Lashley, Cynthia O'Nell
Young Children, v65 n4 p38-42, 44 Jul 2010
Finding high-quality infant care continues to be challenging for many families. Such challenges are even greater for single mothers with limited resources and English language skills. Several years ago, this challenge formed the basis for an urban, center-based program called the Pregnant-Mothers Support Group (PSG). The PSG served single, pregnant women with low incomes who met Early Head Start eligibility criteria and needed infant care for their soon-to-be-born babies. The PSG provided a unique opportunity for pregnant women to explore some of these issues for themselves within a supportive setting. This article discusses how PSG provided opportunities for mothers to share information and build support systems and networks with each other and how attending the meetings helped mothers learn, strengthen, practice, and apply interpersonal skills in their everyday lives. ["Optimizing Mothers' Social Networks: Information-Sharing Strategies" was written with Liana Giannoni.]
Descriptors: Mothers, Disadvantaged Youth, Pregnancy, Infants, Social Networks, Infant Care, Child Care, Limited English Speaking, Urban Areas, Social Support Groups, One Parent Family, Low Income Groups, Program Effectiveness, Immigrants, Story Telling
National Association for the Education of Young Children. 1313 L Street NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 22205-4101. Tel: 800-424-2460; Tel: 202-232-8777; Fax: 202-328-2649; e-mail: editorial@naeyc.org; Web site: http://journal.naeyc.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Illinois
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A