Family Risks and Protective Factors: Pathways to Early Head Start Toddlers' Social–Emotional Functioning

Children from high-risk environments (e.g., adolescent motherhood, homelessness) are more likely to have social-emotional dysfunction than children from low-risk environments; however, positive parenting may serve as a protective factor. This longitudinal study assessed 114 mother-toddler dyads from Early Head Start families over two 2.5-hour home visits, six months apart. Results revealed that positive parenting (defined by maternal sensitivity) served as a protective factor for toddlers from high-risk families.