DOI: 10.66497/jocde.1834693 ISSN: 1302-5945

Grandparenting in Early Childhood: Educational Support Needs for Caregiving Grandparents

Mürüvvet Kartal Baş, Belma Tuğrul
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This study examines the educational support of grandparents who provide care and educational assistance to their grandchildren during early childhood. Adopting a qualitative research design, semi structured focus group sessions were conducted with grandparents actively involved in the care of children aged 2 to 8. The findings reveal that grandparents' caregiving practices systematically focus on routines, behavior management, promoting socialization, and supporting healthy development. Participants emphasized that they help children's learning, encourage social interactions, and face challenges related to adapting to contemporary educational and technological demands. Grandparents generally rely on their adult children for guidance but also highlight the importance of training programs tailored to their caregiving roles. The study outlines the potential of schools and educators as accessible platforms for providing targeted education and support, enhancing grandparents' competencies, and promoting holistic child development. These findings offer practical recommendations for inclusive educational interventions that expand collaboration between families and educational institutions, including the prevalence of intergenerational caregiving dynamics.

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