Exploring the lived experiences of homeless families with young children.

Abstract

This study researched the experiences of homeless families with young children between the ages of four and eight. Many families experience homelessness every year, and there is an importance for early childhood educators to understand how homelessness affects families with young children so that early childhood educators can effectively serve the needs of homeless families as they seek to find more permanent living situations for themselves and their young children. The research sought: (1) to explain reasons families with young children become homeless; (2) to explore the developmental effects that homeless living situations can have on young children; (3) to increase awareness of beneficial resources available to families and their perceptions of the resources. The outcomes of this study will be used to inform early childhood educators' practices as they seek to serve young children living in homeless situations. Research suggested ways that parents and young children were affected by homelessness and identified common themes that occurred throughout the parents' reasons for being homeless, their perception of resources, and their perceptions of themselves and their children.--Abstract.