Parent education and involvement program as a support for Hispanic immigrant preschool parents

The purpose of this study was to investigate Hispanic immigrant preschool parents' educational beliefs and practices while participating in a parent education and involvement program (PEIP) in a United States school. Parent involvement practices have been a hallmark of Head Start programs since the early 1970s. More recently, PEIP has spread to other early childhood programs such as Preschool for All in the State of Illinois as a program requirement. However, not much knowledge exists regarding Hispanic immigrant preschool parents' educational beliefs and practices while participating in a parent education and involvement program. The study findings indicate that Hispanic immigrant preschool parents' home educational practices may differ from what U.S. schools may expect, but the families welcome the educational supports provided to them during the school involvement programs.;The study was qualitative in nature, as the majority of the data was collected in a natural setting through observations. The parents and children were observed during PEIP activities and during home activities; teachers were also observed during PEIP. In addition, interviews were completed with parents and teachers.;Results show that the Hispanic immigrant preschool parents enjoyed participating in the PEIP program, and showed high levels of engagement during parent-child school activities. Parents stated that before the program they did not read to their children, but that throughout the program they learned why it is important to read to children at an early age. Additionally, I learned that the preschool teachers participating in this PEIP program valued parent involvement and had positive perceptions about the parents' home-school connections.