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Teachers’ Perceptions of the Benefits of Home Visits for Early Elementary Children

Early Childhood Education Journal volume 34, pages 93–97 (2006)Cite this article

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of the benefits of home visitation in relation to children’s success in school from kindergarten to second grade. The participants were 26 early elementary (K-2) teachers in a rural, Midwestern school district. Participants completed a survey after a home visit at the beginning of school and again prior to the end of the year. Results of this descriptive study suggest that the benefit of home visits is a means of strengthening home school partnerships. Teachers perceive that home visits result in more positive relationships with children and their families. Further, the teachers believe that the visits lead to improved communication with the parents, better understanding of the child, and better understanding of the impact of the child’s home environment as it relates to school performance.

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Acknowledgements

This research project was supported in part by a partnership between Practical Parenting Partnerships and The Parent Information Resource Center. Training for teachers was provided by Practical Parenting Partnerships of Jefferson City, Missouri. The authors want to give special thanks to Alison Griswold for her assistance in the analysis of the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Early Childhood and Family Development, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, 65897, USA

    James A Meyer & Mary Beth Mann

  2. Department of Early Childhood and Family Development, Missouri State University, 901 S. National, 116 Professional Bldg, Springfield, MO, 65897, USA

    James A Meyer

Authors
  1. James A Meyer
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  2. Mary Beth Mann
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Correspondence to James A Meyer.

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Meyer, J.A., Mann, M.B. Teachers’ Perceptions of the Benefits of Home Visits for Early Elementary Children. Early Childhood Educ J 34, 93–97 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-006-0113-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-006-0113-z

Keywords

  • teacher perceptions
  • home visits
  • teacher–parent relationships
  • academic performance