First time mothers' knowledge and beliefs regarding early communication development

Williams, Vicki;Pearce, Wendy M.;Devine, Sue

Abstract

Limited literature exists in the Australian context about first-time mothers' knowledge of early communication milestones, their strategies to facilitate speech and language development and understanding of the relationship between early communication skills and future development. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 53 first-time mothers using SurveyMonkey®. Most participants had a single child between zero and 12 months old, lived in outer regional areas and were tertiary educated. Friends were a greater source of information than health professionals and mothers varied in their knowledge of early communication milestones. Mothers were aware of a range of strategies to help their child learn communication skills. Thematic analysis revealed first-time mothers had a high level of insight into the importance of early communication development for future learning and social/emotional wellbeing. The findings indicate a need for increased information provision to first-time mothers regarding early communication development.

Journal

Early Child Development and Care

Publication Name

N/A

Volume

184

ISBN/ISSN

1476-8275

Edition

N/A

Issue

Pages Count

Location

N/A

Publisher

Taylor and Francis

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

N/A

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1080/03004430.2013.769213