Trends in Research on Support for Mothers in Child-Rearing and Topics in Practice Using the Reading Aloud of Picture Books

Abstract

The current work compiled previous studies on parenting support programs at home and abroad and on the role of reading picture books aloud to children as part of parenting support. This work also examined specific forms of support for mothers as part of community parenting support, and it discusses topics for the future.

The quantity and quality of community parenting support are being improved, but parenting is still difficult due to factors such as the weakening of community ties. Two pressing issues are developing a highly versatile support program based on studies and analyses and facilitating enhanced parenting support. The current work begins by compiling previous studies with a focus on the effectiveness of support for mothers as part of a support program in the community with parent and child participation. This work reviews the results of studies on how reading aloud as part of parenting support psychologically affects the mother and the mother-child relationship. Next, this work surveys previous studies on support programs. This work classifies support programs into 4 categories based on the tack taken by support and its intended recipients, and this work identifies the respective features of and issues with those support programs.

Changes in the parenting attitudes of mothers who received parenting support and results of studies on the effectiveness of reading picture books aloud as part of parenting support suggested the importance of developing a support program involving reading picture books aloud. Such a program should lead to a better reading environment for children.