Campbell, K. I., & Silva, P. A. (1997). Parents as first teachers pilot programme evaluation : Age three assessments. Final report to the ministry of education on the Dunedin and Gisborne/East coast areas. Wellington: Ministry of Education.
The Parents as First Teachers (PAFT) pilot project was initiated in 1992–1993 in four areas of New Zealand: Whangarei, South Auckland, Gisbome, and Dunedin. This study reports on the Dunedin and Gisborne regions. The PAFT pilot project aimed to provide first-time parents in each of the four geographical areas with a variety of services, from the birth of their first child until the child was 3 years of age. Participants were randomly assigned to the program or comparison group. In Dunedin, 133 program families and 134 comparison families took part in the evaluation. In Gisborne, 108 program families and 100 comparison families took part in the evaluation.
This study took place in two areas within New Zealand: Dunedin and Gisborne.
Trained parent educators provided monthly home visits, offering parenting education and guidance with the goal of increasing parents’ feelings of confidence and competence. The intervention included periodic child development screening and any necessary referrals, monthly group meetings, and access to resources at PAFT centers.
Comparison group families had annual contact with program staff, via mailings, to maintain contact and update addresses.
Parent educators had at least an undergraduate-level degree, had prior experience with children and parents, and were qualified in general or Plunket Society nursing or early childhood or primary teaching (or the equivalent). Initial training lasted two weeks and covered information on PAT, the home visits, conducting educationally focused parent meetings, empowering parents, encouraging parent-child interactions, sensory overload, avoiding dependency relationships, early language, record keeping, and children with special needs. Ongoing training was provided annually for one week. Parent educators received certification from the PAT National Center for fulfilling training requirements.
New Zealand Ministry of Education