Research Papers

The extent of the research done on the Hand in Hand Parenting approach is as follows: Pamela Oatis, MD, analyzed the impact of Hand in Hand’s six-week introductory class for parents in a research poster using data from 250 English-speaking and 72 Spanish-speaking parents.¹ Hand in Hand is embarking upon a feasibility study in 2019, to be followed by rapid-iteration pilot studies on our 6-week curriculum in 2020.

And a qualitative analysis of a four-year research project teaching Hand in Hand Parenting at Northwest Indian College was conducted by Shelley Macy, ECE Faculty, and published in the Mellon Tribal College Journal.²

1. Oatis, P., Wipfler, P., Klorer, M., McKitrick, T., Canterbury, E., Roe, J., & Buderer, N. (2014). Listening-based parenting strategies promote stronger parent-child connection. Research poster presented at Mercy Children’s Hospital, Toledo, OH. See also: Oatis, P. (2014). Research Results Show Hand in Hand’s Building Emotional Understanding Class Strengthens the Parent-Child Connection, Hand in Hand Parenting. Please note: the 6-week class, formerly named “Building Emotional Understanding,” is now called the Hand in Hand Starter Class. It is the same exact curriculum.

2. Macy, S. (2015). Our precious babies: What our children can show us about supporting them and one another in early learning settings. Mellon Tribal College Research Journal, Volume II, 1-30. (author affiliated with Northwest Indian College.)