Back to Projects List
Predictors of Native American Children's Social Emotional Outcomes: A Strengths-Based Approach
Research Team
Principal Investigator: Amanda Prokasky
Funding Information
Funding Agency: University of Wyoming
Award Date: Nov 1, 2024
End Date: Oct 31, 2025
Abstract
Culture may serve as a protective factor for young children, building resilience and be especially important for the development of social-emotional skills. Incorporating culturally significant programming for Native American children is beneficial for their overall health, well-being and identity formation.
Despite living in communities rich with cultural traditions and strong relational connections, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children face significant challenges due to the generational effects of historical trauma and poverty. The forcible removal of Native American children from their families and placement in boarding schools during the early 20th century impacted their ability to maintain and celebrate their cultural identity and heritage, including their language.
Many tribes have begun language revitalization programs, incorporating them into schools and providing opportunities for families to learn tribal language together. However, limited information is available about how limited information is available about how the differences in cultural engagement in exposure influences child outcomes.
This project aims to identify distinct groups of AI/AN children based on their engagement with and exposure to Native language and culture. It will also assess how these groups differ in terms of social-emotional outcomes and underline the positive impact of Native languages and cultural practices on the children's social-emotional development and educational outcomes.
Early Childhood Education and Development, Social, Emotional and Behavioral Well-being, Rural Schools and Communities