A study of maternal participation in preschool programs for handicapped children and their families.

This study investigates the effects on maternal attitudes toward child-rearing of preschool programs for handicapped children and their families. Two types of programs were studied: programs emphasizing maternal participation and those minimizing maternal involvement. It was hypothesized that programs which stress mothers' involvement would result in more positive attitude changes than programs de-emphasizing maternal participation. The findings indicate that maternal involvement and program support are critical variables in promoting positive attitudes toward child-rearing. The authors recommend that a multi-regional study be undertaken to determine the applicability of this study's findings. Such information would be useful in future program development and in the training of program personnel.