Parenting Capacity Needs Assessment for Holistic Early Childhood Development A Study of Mothers of Compassion- Assisted Children in Arusha Town

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the parenting capacity needs of mothers of Compassion-assisted children for the holistic development of children in their early years. The descriptive approach was used to carry out the study among 132 mothers from Arusha town. Eleven churches, in partnership with Compassion International, were randomly selected using systematic random sampling. Interviews were conducted with each of the respondents. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 9.0 for Windows; frequencies, totals and percentages were then obtained. The findings show that most mothers sampled are poor. Despite the fact that the mothers have some basic knowledge on parenting skills, they need to be equipped more. It was also found out that mothers' knowledge on child development was limited. Mothers' parenting role is greatly compromised by the occupation that they are engaged in. Even where mothers have the knowledge, extreme poverty and illiteracy incapacitate them.