Improving emotional skills in young children through better teacher support

Enhancing early care and education through reflective supervision to promote adaptive emotion regulation in young children

NIH-funded research Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital · NIH-11072112

This study is looking at how to help young children, especially those from low-income families, manage their emotions better by training their teachers to build strong, caring relationships with them.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmma Pendleton Bradley Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Riverside, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11072112 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the emotional regulation skills of young children, particularly those growing up in poverty, by improving the support and training provided to their teachers in early care and education settings. The study aims to implement a Reflective Practice and Supervision model, which fosters nurturing relationships between teachers and children, thereby promoting better emotional outcomes. By training early childhood education directors to support their teachers effectively, the research seeks to ensure that evidence-based teaching practices are consistently applied, even after external support ends. The approach includes an open trial to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this model in real-world settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years, particularly those from low-income families who may struggle with emotional regulation.

Not a fit: Children who are not enrolled in early care and education programs or those who do not face challenges related to emotional regulation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved emotional regulation in young children, reducing their risk of developing psychological issues later in life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that enhancing teacher support and training can lead to significant improvements in child emotional outcomes, indicating a promising approach.

Where this research is happening

Riverside, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.