Identifying Culturally Consistent Early Interventions for Latino Caregivers

Abstract

A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was applied to identify promising culturally consistent early intervention (EI) approaches with Latino caregivers. The researchers collected multiple sources of data, analyzed them separately, and then integrated relevant findings with other sources to identify promising EI approaches. Data included acculturation level, coded caregiver interaction style, and reported caregiver preferred activities. Based on the integration of these data and other sources, several themes and promising interventions were identified for Latino caregivers of young children. The use of imperatives, asking questions to redirect attention, and explicit teaching are discussed as well as ways to expand upon these behaviors through request for clarification, use of expansions, focused stimulation, and dialogic reading. Identifying culturally congruent interventions that fit with caregiver’s style and prepares the child for academic settings is also discussed.