This study evaluated the impact of a parenting intervention on children's cognitive and socioemotional development in a group of caregivers and their 21-to-28-month-old children in a low-income South African township. A randomized controlled trial compared an experimental group (n = 70) receiving training in dialogic book-sharing (8 weekly group…

Despite the clear need for post-diagnostic parent/carer education and training in autism spectrum disorder, the evidence base is small, particularly in low-resource settings. Furthermore, few studies have examined the feasibility of intervention implementation. Here, we performed a comparative feasibility study of two Parent Education and Training…

Children in impoverished settings face a multitude of risk factors that may impact early childhood development (ECD). Poor ECD can lead to negative outcomes and the continuation of the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Early stimulation from caregivers can counter the effects of risk factors. Increased developmental literacy supports positive…

Black South Africans are disproportionately affected by HIV compared with White counterparts. In their unique social context, South African families affected by HIV are vulnerable to adverse psychosocial effects. U.S.-based and emerging South African research suggests mothers living with HIV may experience compromised parenting. In the United…

Background: There has been increased attention to the problem of fathers' absenteeism and fathers' participation in the socio-educational development of children among scholars in South Africa in the last decade. Studies have been carried out on extent, causes and possible interventions for fathering in the country. The majority of these studies…

Past studies on South African fathers' less or non-involvement in their children's development have either approached it qualitatively, with rural dwellers that are less educated than participants, or those that were quantitatively limited in terms of their focus and methodology. There is, therefore, a dearth of quantitative data on factors…

The increase in drug abuse in South Africa has had major social implications in the country. Problems associated with drug dependency are poverty, unemployment, a heavier burden on the health care system, the disintegration of family systems and drug-related crimes. Another area of concern is the link between drug abuse and child abuse. While…

Infant symbolic play was examined in relation to prenatal alcohol exposure and socioenvironmental background and to predict which infants met criteria for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) at 5 years. A total of 107 Cape-Colored, South African infants born to heavy drinking mothers and abstainers/light drinkers were recruited prenatally. Complexity of…

Studied object play between 14 Bantu mothers and their infants of 26 to 50 weeks. Analysis indicated that infants became progressively more competent at the task over time and that mothers adjusted their behavior accordingly. (RJC)

Family literacy is relevant in the education of the child, especially in the South African context with its millions of people, especially those in disadvantaged rural areas, who are currently illiterate or insufficiently literate. The level of literacy in the home and a child's exposure to learning experiences influence the success of instruction…

A forum was held to identify the needs of parents of gifted children in Witwatersrand (South Africa). Results indicated parents were in need of information on: how to manage the child; emotional problems experienced by the child; attitude of teachers; dissatisfaction with school; problems with time; and a lack of skills, such as social skills. (CR)

This study examined the quality and characteristics of black families in South Africa. The research focused on three areas: values and norms regarding marriage and family life, the deterioration of traditional and parental authority, and parenting skills. The fieldwork was done during the years 1988-1990 and consisted mostly of group interviews…

A South African study examined how paraprofessionals were prepared to conduct life skills training. The study, which was designed from an ecosystemic perspective, was conducted in three phases. During phase 1 (1990), the professional members of the research team conducted six assertiveness training and parenting education groups in the community.…