Keywords

early childhood, museums, theory of planned behaviour, leisure programs, parenting

Abstract

This study used the theory of planned behaviour to identify and determine the relative influence of factors influencing parents’ decisions to enrol their young children (3 to 5 years old) in early childhood programs at a specific museum venue. An eliciting questionnaire was distributed to museum members with at least one child 3–5 years old to elicit outcome expectancies, normative beliefs, and control beliefs, and these responses were developed into items for the main questionnaire. Regression and correlation analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with parents’ intention to enrol their children. Parents across socioeconomic and educational backgrounds indicated they wanted to enrich their children’s lives. Access to resources was the strongest predictor of parent motivations to enrol their children. Findings have implications for normative parenting constructs and for broader issues of resource access for early childhood programs.

Original Publication Citation

"Parent motivations for enrolling their young children in early childhood programs: an application of the theory of planned behaviour", Edition 1, Volume 43, Pages 106-121, Leisure Studies, 2023

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2024

Publisher

Leisure Studies

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Experience Design and Management

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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