Poll Shows Early Childhood Educators Ready to Help Families Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

from: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

A new national survey shows that 97 percent of early childhood teachers and other professionals want to help families prevent child abuse and neglect. The poll was conducted for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) as part of a new project -- "Supporting Teachers, Strengthening Families" -- funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

"This survey shows that an overwhelming majority of early childhood educators want to build on the relationships they've established with families of young children, and help all families deal with stressful situations that can lead to child abuse and neglect," said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., Executive Director of NAEYC.

The survey involved more than 1,800 teachers and other professionals in child care, preschool and other early education programs around the country. Among the results of the survey:

• 97 percent of early childhood educators said that they are willing to join an expanded effort by NAEYC to help prevent child abuse and neglect. 64 percent said that they are very willing to join in these efforts.
• 77 percent of early childhood educators strongly agreed that they have a professional responsibility to do whatever they can to prevent -- and not just report -- child abuse and neglect.

  The early childhood educators surveyed also said that helping families promote positive development is a critical step toward preventing child abuse and neglect.

• 85 percent believe that giving families more guidance about promoting positive social and emotional development and early learning for their children will help reduce child abuse and neglect.
• 67 percent said that building strong relationships with families of children in their programs is a key to being able to provide this guidance.
• 83 percent said that one of the top three steps that NAEYC can take to help prevent harm to children is providing early childhood educators with specific training in recognizing children who may be at risk for abuse or neglect because of challenging behaviors or family problems.

NAEYC's "Supporting Teachers, Strengthening Families" project builds on the recognition that early childhood professionals -- through their relationships with families -- are uniquely positioned to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to promote healthy social and emotional development of young children.

The survey was conducted by Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner Research, Inc. Written surveys (available in English and Spanish) were mailed to a random sample of more than 5,000 early childhood educators. The overall response rate was 38 percent. The research also included a series of focus groups with early childhood educators in Washington, DC; Chicago; and Houston.

NAEYC will use the results of the survey and focus groups to develop resources and information to help early childhood educators:

• build positive relationships and partnerships with families;
• communicate with families about difficult issues;
• recognize children at risk of harm; and
• handle children's challenging behaviors more effectively.

These resources will support professional development efforts for NAEYC Affiliates, NAEYC-accredited early childhood programs, and other groups concerned with preventing child abuse and neglect and promoting positive social and emotional development.

NAEYC's work on the "Supporting Teachers, Strengthening Families" project is supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Related initiatives supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation include a study by the Center for the Study of Social Policy of exemplary practices implemented in early childhood care and education programs to prevent child abuse and neglect. In addition to their efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation works to improve the quality of people's lives by nurturing the arts, protecting and restoring the environment, and seeking cures for diseases. For more information about "Supporting Teachers, Strengthening Families," visit www.naeyc.org.