ABSTRACT
This study, entitled “Assessing Child Care Knowledge Among Mothers: Basis for a Project Proposal, aimed to assess mothers’ child care knowledge in terms of their profile, experience, maternal practices, confidence, and challenges encountered in providing proper child care. It also determined whether there was a significant difference in the respondents’ perceptions when grouped according to their demographic profile. The findings served as the basis for developing a contextualized training manual.
A quantitative research design was used, involving thirty (30) mothers from selected areas in Nasugbu, Batangas, who were chosen through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, and appropriate statistical tools.
The findings showed that the respondents generally had positive perceptions of their child care knowledge. In terms of experience, the respondents obtained a general weighted mean of 3.50, interpreted as Strongly Agree, while maternal practices obtained a general weighted mean of 3.65, also interpreted as Strongly Agree. The results showed the importance of guidance from healthcare professionals, experienced mothers, peer support, and hands-on learning. The respondents also demonstrated positive practices related to hygiene, proper feeding, safe child handling, regular check-ups, immunization, and the use of recommended child care practices.
Based on the findings, the study concludes that continuous health education and practical guidance are important in strengthening mothers’ knowledge, skills, and confidence in caring for their children. A contextualized training manual was therefore proposed to provide simple, practical, and community-based information that may help address the needs and challenges of mothers and promote safe and proper child care practices.