The Empowerment Process of Caregivers in Promoting Early Childhood Development: A Community in a Northern Province of Thailand

Abstract

            This study aimed to analyze the empowerment process of caregivers in promoting early childhood development, focusing on a case study of a community in a northern province of Thailand. The research employed a descriptive qualitative methodology, using in-depth interviews with 20 elderly caregivers of early childhood children who were purposively selected based on criteria relevant to the study. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings regarding the empowerment process of caregivers revealed four main aspects: (1) Awareness of the situation—Elderly caregivers had diverse reasons for taking on the caregiving role. Most felt unprepared for the responsibility but accepted it due to a lack of alternatives, love, and emotional attachment to the children. In terms of promoting child development, some caregivers did not fully understand the importance of developmental assessments; (2) Critical reflection—Most caregivers were unaware of their role in assessing child development, often believing this responsibility belonged to medical professionals or teachers. Many lacked confidence in their abilities to support child development and relied heavily on others for developmental assessments; (3) Decision-Making on practical approaches—Some caregivers made efforts to learn from others or requested training from professionals. They expressed a need for educational materials that are easy to understand to support their caregiving role; and (4) Maintaining effective practices—This was achievable only when caregivers received appropriate support. The study highlighted that the empowerment process for caregivers in intergenerational families required both knowledge enhancement and external support. These elements were essential to build caregivers’ confidence and enable them to effectively promote early childhood development.