How parenting practices affect infant movement and language development in low-income families

Low-income fathers’ and mothers’ parenting practices on infant locomotion and consequent language development: A longitudinal study from 9 to 24 months

['FUNDING_R03'] · MOUNT ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY · NIH-10742535

This study looks at how different parenting styles affect how babies from low-income families learn to move and talk as they grow from 9 to 24 months old, helping us understand the connection between crawling, walking, and language skills in a more diverse group of children.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R03']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorMOUNT ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (EMMITSBURG, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10742535 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of parenting practices on the locomotion and language development of infants from low-income families, focusing on children aged 9 to 24 months. It aims to understand how factors like crawling and walking relate to language skills, considering that previous studies have primarily focused on middle-class families. By observing and analyzing the behaviors of both fathers and mothers, the research seeks to uncover the mechanisms linking movement to language development in a more diverse population. The study will utilize longitudinal methods to track changes over time, providing valuable insights into early childhood development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants aged 9 to 24 months from low-income families.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this research include infants from middle or high-income families.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved parenting strategies that enhance language development in infants from low-income families.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been successful studies on infant locomotion and language development, this research specifically addresses a gap by focusing on low-income families, making it a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

EMMITSBURG, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.