Media and storybook programs to help preschoolers learn early reading through caregiver involvement
Efficacy and Mechanisms of Media and Storybook Interventions to Promote Children’s Early Literacy Skills via Caregiver Engagement
['FUNDING_R01'] · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11184243
This project compares a media-based program with caregiver-led shared reading to help low-income preschool children build early literacy and school-readiness skills.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11184243 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have a preschooler, researchers will provide either an educational media program designed to include print-referencing or a caregiver-led storybook program and track how often families use them. They will work with families from low-income backgrounds, identify common barriers to using these approaches, and try strategies to increase caregiver adherence. Children's early literacy skills will be measured before and after the intervention to see which approach fits better into home routines and supports learning. The team uses implementation science methods to understand real-world adoption and to refine how the program could be rolled out more widely.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are preschool-aged children (around 3–5 years old) from low-socioeconomic-status families and their primary caregivers who are willing to try media or shared-reading activities.
Not a fit: Children outside the early preschool age range, families who already have high levels of shared reading, or households without access to the required media devices may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make it easier for busy caregivers in low-income households to boost preschoolers' early reading skills and readiness for school.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show caregiver-led book reading with explicit print referencing can improve early literacy, but using media to increase caregiver adherence is a newer approach with limited prior testing.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY — Columbus, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DORE, REBECCA — OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: DORE, REBECCA
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.