The Effects of the Seesaw & Swing Early Intervention Program on Mothers with Young Children from Low-Income Families

Abstract

【The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the Seesaw & Swing early intervention program on the positive changes of mothers with young children who come from low-income families. It measures their child-rearing efficacy and their child-rearing behaviors. The Seesaw & Swing early intervention program was developed by the Community Chest of Korea [13]. The subjects for this study consisted of 96 mothers (49 in the service group, 47 in the control group) from low-income families. The instruments used were the child-rearing efficacy scale [4] and the child-rearing behavior scale [29]. The results of this study indicated that the Seesaw & Swing early intervention program produced positive effects in child-rearing efficacy as well as in child-rearing behaviors: namely, healthy-rearing abilities, guidance abilities, and discipline abilities in child-rearing efficacy; and affection, rational guidance, authoritative control, encouragement and concern in child-rearing behaviors. In conclusion, for mothers with young children coming from low-income families, the Seesaw & Swing early intervention program can be said to be an effective parent education program, which goes some way towards ending the intergenerational transition of poverty in Korea.】