Stefanie Keir, Senior Early Years Advisor at Save the Children, outlines the findings of new research which highlights Scottish parents' experiences and views on supporting their babies early development and learning. This research was carried out by social research agency, The Lines Between.
This new independent research aims to better understand the most effective way to provide parents who experience low income across Scotland with the support and information they need to support early learning and development at home so that their children can thrive.
Researchers spoke with 50 parents across 18 local authorities in Scotland, all of whom have at least one child under the age of 3. We wanted to explore how the range of current initiatives specifically designed to support the home learning environment are received by these parents. What initiatives work well, what could be improved upon and most crucially, what is missing.
Firstly, the research reinforces how dedicated parents are to supporting their babies and young children’s early learning, development, and play. Parents emphasised that they really valued play and interaction, and recognised the tangible impact this has on their children’s language development as well as their social, emotional, and physical skills. Parents were also resourceful in using what they have at their disposal to provide rich learning activities for their children and doing this at little to no cost.
“I would say I’m pretty confident. Because I’m her mum, I’m probably the best person to teach her at this stage because she’ll respond more to me. And we have spent the most time together, so she’s used to me, and I feel like we’ve done so much since she was a baby.” (Mother, Renfrewshire)
But we know that poverty, inflexible working arrangements, poor rates of pay, lack of affordable childcare, and housing instability can have a huge impact the home learning environment. These often-incontrollable factors can put parents under undue stress which was echoed in parents’ responses.
Often this is when it’s most important to lean on others. Parents reflected that they value receiving relevant information and support, but with this, it was important for them to build a sense of rapport to make them feel comfortable and safe in doing so. Understandably, parents emphasised the importance of trust, reassurance, time, understanding, and a shared experience. They want to feel like they can genuinely relate.
“at the start, I felt like, ‘Oh no, if I ask for help, then I’m going to get my child taken off me, or Social Services will be involved’. They never were. That’s not how it works, it’s a total misconception, but you don’t know that.” (Mother, Scottish Borders)
Parents reflected on their own experience of dealing with stigma and having a lack of confidence when getting involved with activities that are happening in their local community. This presents a very real barrier. We know that poverty can play a key part in this – living in poverty can affect parents’ capacity to interact with and support their children in the ways that they would like. Many parents also highlight the lack of financial support as a barrier, especially when it comes to childcare.
Universal offers such the Baby Box, Bookbug, and Ready Steady Baby! are certainly valued by parents but some are not used to their full potential. Trusted professionals such as health visitors play a key role in making sure parents understand the full breadth of these resources, and the difference they can make.
It’s encouraging to hear that the Scottish Child Payment is helping and providing a ‘lifeline’ for many:
Mine’s does what it says on the box. It goes directly to the kids whether they need a new pair of shoes or a new jacket, or…they want to do a certain activity that I wouldn’t normally be able to afford for them… It's been absolutely fantastic. My eldest son will be joining the town’s rugby team in August, and it’s something that I wouldn’t have been able to afford beforehand, but because that money is there, it's coming in for the kids, I’m able to do it for him.” (Mother, Dumfries and Galloway)
Another key issue this research raised was the barriers to access that many parents faced when it comes to information and support. Despite a range of initiatives and services across public, third and community sectors, parents are often unaware and restricted in the way they can engage with these services. They will often rely on existing relationships of trust which require time, and effort to build upon.
“I got a support worker from [a third-sector organisation]... Before I met her, I was so anxious I wouldn’t go out, do soft play or baby books... [My support worker] came with me… she knows what I’m going through because she was a lone parent... she understood where I was coming from.” (Mother, Fife)
Unsurprisingly poor mental health is another barrier to providing a rich home learning environment. If a parent isn’t feeling well, or is not feeling entirely present, they explained they found it harder to be consistently responsive and nurturing towards their child. Timely, thorough, and bespoke mental health support is so important for any caregiver but parents felt that it’s not always easy to access or seek help for.
“If we’re going through a bit of financial pressure... It’s more like, ‘Look, I just don’t have the time right now’, or you get a little bit snappy. When we have these environmental pressures.. that affect our emotions.. that’s when we find it hard - we can’t be the parents we know we are.” (Mother, Highland)
We are pleased to see that this research highlights that there is much to build upon. All parents have a desire to support their children’s learning and development but just need the right support to be in place. For some that means clearer access to knowledge, information and ideas or peer support, safe spaces outside the home, and a little respite. Others may require more tailored support to address issues such as poor mental health or isolation.
We know all too well that these factors impact the home environment, exhaust and preoccupy parents, and ultimately restrict the focus and time spent with their children. Growing up in a rich home learning environment fosters positive outcomes and ultimately helps children thrive regardless of family income.
The research points to a real need for policymakers to address systematic issues such as poverty, inflexible working arrangements, poor rates of pay, lack of affordable childcare and housing instability. Families need urgent action – childhoods can’t wait, and early experiences can undoubtedly shape children’s futures.
We have a unique opportunity to focus on improving how parents experiencing low income are supported in their ambition to give their children the very best start in life; the start that every child deserves. It’s important to listen closely to parents' views and work with them to shape policy and services. We hope the messages in this research can contribute to shaping the Scottish Government’s Early Child Development Transformation Programme, and well beyond.
Find out more about social research agency The Lines Between.
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