Voices of African American Single Mothers of Young Children in Child Care

The data and research study that is referred to in this book and done on the African American Single Mothers, can offer support for all mothers seeking positive caregiving and building positive relationships with their child/children. Also, the data from the study referred to in this book, revealed that, once the mothers were aware of reflective functioning and had opportunities to practice it, their relationships with their children improved. Based on the mother’s comments, maternal reflective functioning changed maternal responses and interactions with children as it required the mothers to examine their thoughts and feelings.


To support positive social-emotional development of a child, it is important for the caregiver to be available and to have a positive, intimate, caring relationship with the child. Greenspan (1979) stated that, from conception through the lifespan, positive caregiving relationships are important to children’s positive growth and development.