Exploring and Developing Communication Strategies with Parents: Key Themes, Insights, and Recommendations

As part of Minnesota's Pre-K Planning Grant, the purpose of this study is to learn about the experiences of parents of young children in order to shape/tailor effective ways to communicate with them about child development and early education opportunities. The goals of the study are to make sure all types of parents with young children in Minnesota have the information they need to raise healthy children and that services for children and families are accessible for all types of families. Data was collected for the study by conducting 14 group discussions in community settings that involved 89 participants and by completing 52 phone interviews with persons knowledgeable about the experiences of parents and communicating with them. The key takeaway from the study is that no single method or approach suffices. All the groups mentioned multiple preferred methods, with a common theme that the communication, regardless of method, should come directly from a trusted source. [This report was prepared for Child Care Aware of Minnesota.]