The authors examined the extent to which practices for parent participation in early intervention/ early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) programs. The role of parents in the EI/ECSE is important and supported through the literature. The changing traditional family picture in the classrooms, the importance of evolving laws and regulations and recommended practices regarding parent participation are highlighted. The conceptual framework is based on the children, parents, and practitioners’ outcomes. Strategies to promote family involvement provided a direct way to understand how early childhood education programs influence family participation. Practices to promote family participation are discussed.
Key Words: parent participation, early intervention, early childhood special education, strategies.
Barrera, I., Corso, R. M., & Macpherson, D. (2003). Skilled dialogue: Strategies for responding to cultural diversity in early childhood. Baltimore, Md: P.H. Brookes Pub.
Blauw-Hospers, C., Dirks, T., Hulshof, L., Bos, A., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2011). Pediatric physical therapy in infancy: from nightmare to dream? A two-arm randomized trial. Physical Therapy, 91(9), 1323-1338.
Bradley, R., Shears, J., Roggman, L., & Tamis-LeMonda, C. (2006). Lessons learned from Early Head Start for fatherhood research and program development. Parenting: Science & Practice, 6(2&3), 259–271.
Bricker, D. D. (2002). AEPS assessment, evaluation, and programming system for infants and children. Baltimore, Md: Paul H. Brookes Pub. Co.
Bornstein, M.H. (1995) Handbook of Parenting, Vol. 1: Children and Parenting. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Bornstein, M. H., & Cote, L. R. (2006). Introduction to acculturation and parent-child relationships. In Bornstein, M. H., & Cote, L. R. (Eds), Acculturation and parent-child relationships. Measurements and development. (pp 3-12). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Bredekamp, S., Copple, C., & National Association for the Education of Young Children. (1997). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs. Washington, D.C: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Britto, P.R., Brooks-Gunn, J. and Griffin, T.M. (2006). Maternal reading and teaching patterns: associations with school readiness in low-income African American families’. Reading Research Quarterly, 41, 68–89.
Brotherson, M., Summers, J., Naig, L., Kyzar, K., Friend, A., et al. (2010). Partnership patterns: addressing emotional needs in early intervention. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 30(1), 32-45.
Bruder, M. (2010). Early childhood intervention: A promise to children and families for their future. Exceptional Children, 76(3), 339-355.
Cheatham, G. A., & Santos, R. M. (2011). Collaborating with families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds: considering time and communication orientations. Young Children, 66, 5, 76-82.
Darrah, J., Law, M., Pollock, N., Wilson, B., Russell, D., et al. (2011). Context therapy: A new intervention approach for children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 53(7), 615-620.
de Falco, S., Esposito, G., Venuti, P., & Bornstein, M. H. (2011) Maternal and paternal pragmatic speech directed to young children with Down syndrome and typical development. Infant Behavior and Development, 34, 1161-169.
Derman-Sparks, L., Edwards, J. O., & National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Dishion, T., Shaw, D., Connell, A., Gardner, F., Weaver, C., et al. (2008). The family check-up with high-risk indigent families: preventing problem behavior by increasing parents' positive behavior support in early childhood. Child Development, 79(5), 1395-1414.
Division of Early Childhood. (2010). Responsiveness to all children, families, and professionals: integrating cultural and linguistic diversity into policy and practice. Retrieved from http://www.decsped.org
Downer, J. T., Campos, R., McWayne, C.M., & Gartner, T. (2008). Father involvement and children’s early learning: a critical review of published empirical work fromthe past 15 years. Marriage & Family Review, 43(1/2), 67-108.
Dunst, C.J. (2002). Family-centered practices: Birth through high school. Journal of Special Education, 36(3), 139-147.
Espinosa, L. (2005). Curriculum and assessment considerations for young children from culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse backgrounds. Psychology in the Schools, 42(8), 837-853.
Epley, P. H., Summers, J. A., & Turnbull, A. P. (2011). Family outcomes of early intervention: Families' perceptions of need, services, and outcomes. Journal of Early Intervention, 33(3), 201-219.
Feinberg, E., Donahue, S., Bliss, R., & Silverstein, M. (2012). Maternal depressive symptoms and participation in early intervention services for young children. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(2), 336-345.
Flippin, M., & Crais, E. (2011). The need for more effective father involvement in early autism intervention a systematic review and recommendations. Journal of Early Intervention, 33(1), 24-50.
Gallagher, P., Rhodes, C., & Darling, S. (2004). Parents as professionals in early intervention: a parent educator model. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 24(1), 5-13.
Helfenbaum-Kun, E., Ortiz, C. (2007). Parent-training groups for fathers of head start children: a pilot study of their feasibility and impact on child behavior and intra- familial relationships. Child and Family Behavioral Therapy, 29(2), 47-64.
Hernandez, D., Takanishi, R., & Marotz, K. (2009). Life circumstances and public policies for young children in immigrant families. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 24(4), 487-501.
Honig, A.S. (2008). Supporting men as fathers, caregiver, and educators. Early Child Development and Care, 178(7&8), 665-687.
Ingber, S., Al-Yagon, M., & Dromi, E. (2010). Mothers' involvement in early intervention for children with hearing loss the role of maternal characteristics and context-based perceptions. Journal of Early Intervention, 32(5), 351-369.
Ingersoll, B., & Gergans, S. (2007). The effect of a parent-implemented imitation intervention on spontaneous imitation skills in young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 28, 2, 163-175.
James, C., & Chard, G. (2010). A qualitative study of parental experiences of participation and partnership in an early intervention service. Infants and Young Children, 23(4), 275-285.
Kaiser, A. P., Hemmeter, M. L., Ostrosky, M. M., & Fischer, R. (1996). The effects of teaching parents to use responsive interaction strategies. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 16, 3, 375.
Keels, M. (2009). Ethnic group differences in early head start parents’ parenting beliefs and practices and links to children’s early cognitive development. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 24(4), 381–397.
Keilty, B. and Galvin, K. (2006). Physical and social adaptations of families to promote learning in everyday experiences. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 26 (4), 219-233.
Ketelaar, M., Vermeer, A. Helders, P.J.M. & Hart, H. (1998). Parent participation in programs for children with cerebral palsy: A review of research. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 18(2), 108-117.
Levy, S., Kim, A., & Olive, M.L. (2006). Interventions for young children with autism: A synthesis of the literature. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 21, 55-62.
Mahoney, G., & Kaiser, A. (1999). Parent education in early intervention: A call for a renewed focus. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 19(3), 131-140.
Matson, J., Mahan, S., & LoVullo, S. (2009). Parent training: A review of methods for Children with developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 30(5), 961-968.
McWilliam, R.A. (2006). Routine based interview report form. Retrieved from http://www.siskin.org/downloads/RBI_Report_Form.pdf
Miedel, W., & Reynolds, A. (1999). Parent involvement in early intervention for disadvantaged children: does it matter? Journal of School Psychology, 37(4), 379-402.
Murray, M., Christensen, K., Umbarger, G., Rade, K., Aldridge, K., et al. (2007). Supporting family choice. Early Childhood Education Journal, 35(2), 111-117.
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2009). NAEYC standards for early childhood professional preparation programs. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ProfPrepStandards09.pdf
National Research Council. (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Odom, S., & Wolery, M. (2003). A unified theory of practice in early intervention/early childhood special education: Evidence-based practices. Journal of Special Education, 37(3), 164-173.
Park, J., Alber-Morgan, S., & Fleming, C. (2011). Collaborating with parents to implement behavioral interventions for children with challenging behaviors. Teaching Exceptional Children, 43(3), 22-30.
Peterson, P., Carta, J. J., & Greenwood , C. R. (2005). The effects of teaching enhanced milieu language teaching skills to parents in multiple risk families. Journal of Early Intervention, 27, 94-109.
Pretis, M. (2011). Meeting the needs of parents in early childhood intervention: the educational partnership with parents-good practice and challenges. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 8(2), 73-76.
Raikes, H., & Bellotti, J. (2006). Two studies of father involvement in early head start programs:a national survey and a demonstration program evaluation. Parenting: Science & Practice, 6(2/3), 229-242.
Raikes, H., Summers, J.,Roggman, L. (2005). Father involvement in early head start programs. Fathering, 3(1), 29-58.
Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education, (2006). Ozel egitim hizmetleri yonetmeligi. Retrieved from http://mevzuat.meb.gov.tr/html/26184_0.html
Roggman, L. A., Boyce, L. K., & Cook, G. A. (2009). Keeping kids on track: Impacts of a parenting-focused Early Head Start program on attachment security and cognitive development. Early Education and Development, 20(6), 920-941.
Sandall, S., McLean, M.E., Smith, B.J., (Eds). (2000). DEC recommended practices in early intervention/early childhood special education. Denver, CO: DEC. Division of Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.
Sandall, S., Hemmeter, M.L., Smith B.J., & McLean, M.E. (EDs.) (2005) DEC recommended practices: a comprehensive guide for practical application inearly intervention/early childhood special education. Missoula, MT: Division for Early Childhood. Sheehey, P. (2006). Parent involvement in educational decision-making: a Hawaiian perspective. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 25(4), 3-15.
Souto-Manning, M., & Mitchell, C. (2010). The role of action research in fostering culturally responsive practices in a preschool classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, 37(4), 269-277.
Spivak, A., & Howes, C. (2011). Social and relational factors in early education and prosocial actions of children of diverse ethnocultural communities. Merrill palmer Quarterly, 57, 1, 1-24.
Strauss, K., Vicari, S., Valeri, G., D'Elia, L., Arima, S., et al. (2012). Parent inclusion in early intensive behavioral intervention: The influence of parental stress, parent treatment fidelity and parent-mediated generalization of behavior targets on child outcomes. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 33(2), 688-703.
Summers, J., Boller, K., Schiffman, R., & Raikes, H. (2006). The meaning of “good fatherhood: low-income fathers’ social constructions of their roles. Parenting: Science and Practice, 6(2), 145-165.
Treyvaud, K., Anderson, V., Howard, K., Bear, M., Hunt, R., et al. (2009). Parenting Behavior is associated with the early neurobehavioral development of very preterm children. Pediatrics, 123(2), 555-561.
Trohanis, P. (2008). Progress in providing services to young children with special needs and their families - an overview to and update on the implementation of the individuals with disabilities education act (idea). Journal of Early Intervention, 30(2), 140-151.
Turney, K., & Kao, G. (2009). Pre-kindergarten child care and behavioral outcomes among children of immigrants. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 24(4), 432- 444.
Unger, D., Tressell, P., Jones, C., & Park, E. (2004). Involvement of low-income single caregivers in child-focused early intervention services: Implications for caregiver-child interaction. Family Relations, 53(2), 210-218.
U.S Census Bureau. (2012). Components of population change by race and Hispanic origin. Retrieved from
Watson, C., & Gatti, S. (2012). Professional development through reflective consultation in early intervention. Infants & Young Children, 25(2), 109-121.
Year 2014,
Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 80 - 101, 14.07.2015
Barrera, I., Corso, R. M., & Macpherson, D. (2003). Skilled dialogue: Strategies for responding to cultural diversity in early childhood. Baltimore, Md: P.H. Brookes Pub.
Blauw-Hospers, C., Dirks, T., Hulshof, L., Bos, A., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2011). Pediatric physical therapy in infancy: from nightmare to dream? A two-arm randomized trial. Physical Therapy, 91(9), 1323-1338.
Bradley, R., Shears, J., Roggman, L., & Tamis-LeMonda, C. (2006). Lessons learned from Early Head Start for fatherhood research and program development. Parenting: Science & Practice, 6(2&3), 259–271.
Bricker, D. D. (2002). AEPS assessment, evaluation, and programming system for infants and children. Baltimore, Md: Paul H. Brookes Pub. Co.
Bornstein, M.H. (1995) Handbook of Parenting, Vol. 1: Children and Parenting. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Bornstein, M. H., & Cote, L. R. (2006). Introduction to acculturation and parent-child relationships. In Bornstein, M. H., & Cote, L. R. (Eds), Acculturation and parent-child relationships. Measurements and development. (pp 3-12). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Bredekamp, S., Copple, C., & National Association for the Education of Young Children. (1997). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs. Washington, D.C: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Britto, P.R., Brooks-Gunn, J. and Griffin, T.M. (2006). Maternal reading and teaching patterns: associations with school readiness in low-income African American families’. Reading Research Quarterly, 41, 68–89.
Brotherson, M., Summers, J., Naig, L., Kyzar, K., Friend, A., et al. (2010). Partnership patterns: addressing emotional needs in early intervention. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 30(1), 32-45.
Bruder, M. (2010). Early childhood intervention: A promise to children and families for their future. Exceptional Children, 76(3), 339-355.
Cheatham, G. A., & Santos, R. M. (2011). Collaborating with families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds: considering time and communication orientations. Young Children, 66, 5, 76-82.
Darrah, J., Law, M., Pollock, N., Wilson, B., Russell, D., et al. (2011). Context therapy: A new intervention approach for children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 53(7), 615-620.
de Falco, S., Esposito, G., Venuti, P., & Bornstein, M. H. (2011) Maternal and paternal pragmatic speech directed to young children with Down syndrome and typical development. Infant Behavior and Development, 34, 1161-169.
Derman-Sparks, L., Edwards, J. O., & National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Dishion, T., Shaw, D., Connell, A., Gardner, F., Weaver, C., et al. (2008). The family check-up with high-risk indigent families: preventing problem behavior by increasing parents' positive behavior support in early childhood. Child Development, 79(5), 1395-1414.
Division of Early Childhood. (2010). Responsiveness to all children, families, and professionals: integrating cultural and linguistic diversity into policy and practice. Retrieved from http://www.decsped.org
Downer, J. T., Campos, R., McWayne, C.M., & Gartner, T. (2008). Father involvement and children’s early learning: a critical review of published empirical work fromthe past 15 years. Marriage & Family Review, 43(1/2), 67-108.
Dunst, C.J. (2002). Family-centered practices: Birth through high school. Journal of Special Education, 36(3), 139-147.
Espinosa, L. (2005). Curriculum and assessment considerations for young children from culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse backgrounds. Psychology in the Schools, 42(8), 837-853.
Epley, P. H., Summers, J. A., & Turnbull, A. P. (2011). Family outcomes of early intervention: Families' perceptions of need, services, and outcomes. Journal of Early Intervention, 33(3), 201-219.
Feinberg, E., Donahue, S., Bliss, R., & Silverstein, M. (2012). Maternal depressive symptoms and participation in early intervention services for young children. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(2), 336-345.
Flippin, M., & Crais, E. (2011). The need for more effective father involvement in early autism intervention a systematic review and recommendations. Journal of Early Intervention, 33(1), 24-50.
Gallagher, P., Rhodes, C., & Darling, S. (2004). Parents as professionals in early intervention: a parent educator model. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 24(1), 5-13.
Helfenbaum-Kun, E., Ortiz, C. (2007). Parent-training groups for fathers of head start children: a pilot study of their feasibility and impact on child behavior and intra- familial relationships. Child and Family Behavioral Therapy, 29(2), 47-64.
Hernandez, D., Takanishi, R., & Marotz, K. (2009). Life circumstances and public policies for young children in immigrant families. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 24(4), 487-501.
Honig, A.S. (2008). Supporting men as fathers, caregiver, and educators. Early Child Development and Care, 178(7&8), 665-687.
Ingber, S., Al-Yagon, M., & Dromi, E. (2010). Mothers' involvement in early intervention for children with hearing loss the role of maternal characteristics and context-based perceptions. Journal of Early Intervention, 32(5), 351-369.
Ingersoll, B., & Gergans, S. (2007). The effect of a parent-implemented imitation intervention on spontaneous imitation skills in young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 28, 2, 163-175.
James, C., & Chard, G. (2010). A qualitative study of parental experiences of participation and partnership in an early intervention service. Infants and Young Children, 23(4), 275-285.
Kaiser, A. P., Hemmeter, M. L., Ostrosky, M. M., & Fischer, R. (1996). The effects of teaching parents to use responsive interaction strategies. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 16, 3, 375.
Keels, M. (2009). Ethnic group differences in early head start parents’ parenting beliefs and practices and links to children’s early cognitive development. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 24(4), 381–397.
Keilty, B. and Galvin, K. (2006). Physical and social adaptations of families to promote learning in everyday experiences. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 26 (4), 219-233.
Ketelaar, M., Vermeer, A. Helders, P.J.M. & Hart, H. (1998). Parent participation in programs for children with cerebral palsy: A review of research. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 18(2), 108-117.
Levy, S., Kim, A., & Olive, M.L. (2006). Interventions for young children with autism: A synthesis of the literature. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 21, 55-62.
Mahoney, G., & Kaiser, A. (1999). Parent education in early intervention: A call for a renewed focus. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 19(3), 131-140.
Matson, J., Mahan, S., & LoVullo, S. (2009). Parent training: A review of methods for Children with developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 30(5), 961-968.
McWilliam, R.A. (2006). Routine based interview report form. Retrieved from http://www.siskin.org/downloads/RBI_Report_Form.pdf
Miedel, W., & Reynolds, A. (1999). Parent involvement in early intervention for disadvantaged children: does it matter? Journal of School Psychology, 37(4), 379-402.
Murray, M., Christensen, K., Umbarger, G., Rade, K., Aldridge, K., et al. (2007). Supporting family choice. Early Childhood Education Journal, 35(2), 111-117.
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2009). NAEYC standards for early childhood professional preparation programs. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ProfPrepStandards09.pdf
National Research Council. (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Odom, S., & Wolery, M. (2003). A unified theory of practice in early intervention/early childhood special education: Evidence-based practices. Journal of Special Education, 37(3), 164-173.
Park, J., Alber-Morgan, S., & Fleming, C. (2011). Collaborating with parents to implement behavioral interventions for children with challenging behaviors. Teaching Exceptional Children, 43(3), 22-30.
Peterson, P., Carta, J. J., & Greenwood , C. R. (2005). The effects of teaching enhanced milieu language teaching skills to parents in multiple risk families. Journal of Early Intervention, 27, 94-109.
Pretis, M. (2011). Meeting the needs of parents in early childhood intervention: the educational partnership with parents-good practice and challenges. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 8(2), 73-76.
Raikes, H., & Bellotti, J. (2006). Two studies of father involvement in early head start programs:a national survey and a demonstration program evaluation. Parenting: Science & Practice, 6(2/3), 229-242.
Raikes, H., Summers, J.,Roggman, L. (2005). Father involvement in early head start programs. Fathering, 3(1), 29-58.
Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education, (2006). Ozel egitim hizmetleri yonetmeligi. Retrieved from http://mevzuat.meb.gov.tr/html/26184_0.html
Roggman, L. A., Boyce, L. K., & Cook, G. A. (2009). Keeping kids on track: Impacts of a parenting-focused Early Head Start program on attachment security and cognitive development. Early Education and Development, 20(6), 920-941.
Sandall, S., McLean, M.E., Smith, B.J., (Eds). (2000). DEC recommended practices in early intervention/early childhood special education. Denver, CO: DEC. Division of Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.
Sandall, S., Hemmeter, M.L., Smith B.J., & McLean, M.E. (EDs.) (2005) DEC recommended practices: a comprehensive guide for practical application inearly intervention/early childhood special education. Missoula, MT: Division for Early Childhood. Sheehey, P. (2006). Parent involvement in educational decision-making: a Hawaiian perspective. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 25(4), 3-15.
Souto-Manning, M., & Mitchell, C. (2010). The role of action research in fostering culturally responsive practices in a preschool classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, 37(4), 269-277.
Spivak, A., & Howes, C. (2011). Social and relational factors in early education and prosocial actions of children of diverse ethnocultural communities. Merrill palmer Quarterly, 57, 1, 1-24.
Strauss, K., Vicari, S., Valeri, G., D'Elia, L., Arima, S., et al. (2012). Parent inclusion in early intensive behavioral intervention: The influence of parental stress, parent treatment fidelity and parent-mediated generalization of behavior targets on child outcomes. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 33(2), 688-703.
Summers, J., Boller, K., Schiffman, R., & Raikes, H. (2006). The meaning of “good fatherhood: low-income fathers’ social constructions of their roles. Parenting: Science and Practice, 6(2), 145-165.
Treyvaud, K., Anderson, V., Howard, K., Bear, M., Hunt, R., et al. (2009). Parenting Behavior is associated with the early neurobehavioral development of very preterm children. Pediatrics, 123(2), 555-561.
Trohanis, P. (2008). Progress in providing services to young children with special needs and their families - an overview to and update on the implementation of the individuals with disabilities education act (idea). Journal of Early Intervention, 30(2), 140-151.
Turney, K., & Kao, G. (2009). Pre-kindergarten child care and behavioral outcomes among children of immigrants. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 24(4), 432- 444.
Unger, D., Tressell, P., Jones, C., & Park, E. (2004). Involvement of low-income single caregivers in child-focused early intervention services: Implications for caregiver-child interaction. Family Relations, 53(2), 210-218.
U.S Census Bureau. (2012). Components of population change by race and Hispanic origin. Retrieved from
Watson, C., & Gatti, S. (2012). Professional development through reflective consultation in early intervention. Infants & Young Children, 25(2), 109-121.
Acar, S., & Akamoğlu, Y. (2015). Practices for Parent Participation in Early Intervention/ Early Childhood Special Education. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 6(1), 80-101. https://doi.org/10.20489/intjecse.93010