SAGA for Toddlers: shared reading to boost social-emotional and language development
SAGA for Toddlers. Supporting Children's Linguistic and Socio-Emotional Development in Early Childhood Education and Care
This program tests whether a shared-reading method called SAGA helps 11–36-month-old children in Swedish-speaking Finnish daycare improve social-emotional skills and language.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 11 Months to 36 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Helsinki Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Helsinki, Uusimaa) |
| Trial ID | NCT07189104 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The SAGA for Toddlers intervention trains Swedish-speaking early childhood education and care (ECEC) staff to run small-group shared-reading sessions at least three times per week using picture books, emotion cards, and mentalization-based dialogue prompts. Personnel receive training and ongoing support to organize the sessions, and participating caregivers attend informational evenings; staff and caregivers complete questionnaires about implementation and child outcomes. The study tracks changes in children's social-emotional competence and language development across the intervention period. Eligible children are 11–36 months old and attend Swedish-speaking ECEC in Finland.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 11–36 months who live in Finland and attend Swedish-speaking early childhood education and care.
Not a fit: Children older than 36 months, children not enrolled in Swedish-speaking ECEC, or those who do not regularly participate in the reading sessions are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help toddlers better identify and talk about emotions and strengthen early language skills, which may reduce behavioral problems and improve social interactions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research using the SAGA model has reported improved prosocial behavior and reduced externalizing and internalizing problems, and other studies have linked social-emotional work to language gains, so this builds on prior positive findings.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 11 to 36 -months old at the start of the study * Living in Finland * Attending Swedish speaking early childhood education and care Exclusion Criteria: * None
Where this trial is running
Helsinki, Uusimaa
- University of Helsinki — Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Mirjam Kalland, PhD
- Email: mirjam.kalland@helsinki.fi
- Phone: +358 504482222
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.