Self-Concept Reinforcement to Boost Early School Readiness
Self-Concept Reinforcement for Early School Readiness: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Clinic-Based Intervention for Young African American Children
NA · Children's Hospital Los Angeles · NCT06084910
This pilot tests whether giving self-concept themed children's books and brief parenting advice at well-child visits helps parents of 2- to 4-year-old African American children share books more and improve children's behavior and early literacy.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 134 (estimated) |
| Ages | 2 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Children's Hospital Los Angeles (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT06084910 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This mixed-methods pilot first conducts interviews with parents and providers to refine the Self-Concept Reinforcement for Early School Readiness (SCR4ESR) intervention, then runs a small randomized trial. Phase 1 will recruit about 15 parents and 15 providers from two clinics to evaluate feasibility and acceptability using qualitative interviews. Phase 2 randomizes parents of 2- to 4-year-old African American children at Children's Hospital Los Angeles to SCR4ESR plus the standard Reach Out and Read (ROR) program versus ROR alone and measures parent book-sharing behaviors, child behavioral health, and early literacy outcomes. The trial will also track recruitment rates and other feasibility metrics to guide future larger studies.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking parents or legal guardians age 18 or older of 2- to 4-year-old African American children who attend well-child visits at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and have experience with Reach Out and Read.
Not a fit: Children with severe cognitive impairment or who are non-verbal, families planning to move outside the CHLA service area within 15 months, and CHLA employees are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this pilot.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could increase positive book-sharing and self-concept support at home, improving early literacy and behavior in participating children.
How similar studies have performed: Clinic-based book-gifting programs like Reach Out and Read have shown benefits for parent reading behaviors and early literacy, but using self-concept–themed materials to target behavioral health in this way is relatively novel and not yet well tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Parent/Legal guardian must be 18 years old or older * Speak English * Legal guardian of the index 2 to 4-year-old African American child Exclusion Criteria: * Index child has severe cognitive impairment or communication difficulties (i.e., severe intellectual disability or nonverbal) * Plan to move outside of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) service area in the next 15 months * CHLA employee * Participated in Aim 1 interviews
Where this trial is running
Los Angeles, California
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles — Los Angeles, California, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ashaunta T Anderson, MD, MPH, MSHS — Children's Hospital Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Ashaunta T Anderson, MD, MPH, MSHS
- Email: asanderson@chla.usc.edu
- Phone: (323) 669-2113
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.
Conditions: Child Behavior, Child Behavior Problem, Child Behavior Disorders, Literacy, Early Childhood, Parenting, Self-Concept