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Trials
Published in: Trials 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Language Development | Study protocol

The impact of interactive book sharing on child cognitive and socio-cognitive development (the REaL trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Linda Forssman, Janna M. Gottwald

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

The quality of children’s early home learning environment has an influence on their cognitive development, preliteracy skills, and subsequent educational outcomes. Early intervention programs that promote positive parenting behaviors and child cognition have great potential to positively influence children’s school readiness and thereby support social equality. One often advocated parental practice for promoting child language and cognition is interactive book sharing.

Methods

We have conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of a parent-child interactive book sharing intervention on early child language, cognition, and parental behaviors. Participating caregivers and their 10-month-old child were randomized to an interactive book sharing intervention group (n = 59) or to an active control group (n = 56). The intervention was delivered by a facilitator to small groups of parent-child dyads on a weekly basis over 5 weeks. The primary outcomes were child language and socio-cognition; secondary outcomes were child executive function and parental scaffolding, sensitivity and reciprocity during book sharing, and problem-solving tasks. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and at 6 and 12 months post-intervention.

Discussion

The Roadmap to Executive function and Language (REaL) trial aims to evaluate the impact of a brief early parenting intervention on key factors for child development, including child cognition and parental behaviors. If this intervention is beneficial for child outcomes, that would be of significance for the development of early interventions to promote child development.

Trial registration

The REaL trial is registered on the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number database, registration number ISRCTN22319305. Retrospectively registered on 7 February 2020.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment paused after the recruitment of 38 participants. When recruitment was reuptaken, the following exclusion criteria were added: (1) someone in the family belongs to a risk-group in relation to COVID-19, or (2) the participating caregiver has a work that is essential for society.
 
2
Following agreement from Peter Cooper, one of the founders of Mikhulu trust and the specific book -sharing program.
 
3
Recruitment was initially planned to take place between January to August 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including national and local restrictions, recruitment of participants paused between mid-February to end of May 2020, and again from mid-October 2020 to beginning of July 7, 2021.
 
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Metadata
Title
The impact of interactive book sharing on child cognitive and socio-cognitive development (the REaL trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Linda Forssman
Janna M. Gottwald
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06733-8

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