Improving children's readiness for school through the LENA Start Program
Can a Scalable Parenting Program Improve Children's Readiness for School? An Evaluation of the LENA Start Program
This study is testing if a program that helps parents learn how to boost their children's language skills can improve kids' readiness for school.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 600 (estimated) |
| Ages | 16 Months to 30 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | William Marsh Rice University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT04905381 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project aims to implement the LENA Start Program within the Alief Independent School District in Houston, Texas, to assess how maternal expectations about language development influence children's language skills. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a treatment group, which will engage in the LENA Start Program, or a control group, which will only complete surveys. The program includes meetings for parents to learn and discuss strategies to enhance their child's language development, with the effectiveness measured through the LENA system. The findings are intended to create a replicable model for other school districts.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are parents aged 18 or older with children between 16 and 30 months old who reside in the Alief Independent School District.
Not a fit: Parents who do not meet the age, language, or residency criteria will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly enhance children's language development and readiness for school.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in improving language development through similar parent-focused interventions, indicating a promising approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Eligible adult participants include parents who meet all the criteria listed below. 1. Must be 18 years old or older. 2. Must have a child between 16 and 30 months old as of September 1, 2022. 3. Must speak English or Spanish as their native language. 4. Must live in the catchment area of Alief Independent School District. Children of the adult participants enrolled in the study are eligible to participate. The children must meet all the criteria below. 1\. Must be between 16 and 30 months old as of September 1, 2022 2. Must speak English or Spanish as their native language. 3. Must live in the catchment area of Alief Independent School District. Exclusion Criteria: Adult participants will not be eligible for this study if they: * Are NOT 18 years old or older. * Do NOT have a child between 16 and 30 months as of September 1, 2022. * Do NOT speak English or Spanish as their native language. * Do NOT live in the catchment area of Alief Independent School District. Children will not be eligible for this study if they: * Are NOT between 16 and 30 months as of September 1, 2022. * Do NOT speak English or Spanish as their native language. * Do NOT live in the catchment area of Alief Independent School District.
Where this trial is running
Houston, Texas
- Alief ISD — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Snejana Nihtianova, PhD
- Email: sn46@rice.edu
- Phone: 713-348-2458
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.