Abstract
The PAROLA project was conceived in response to the growing need to support language development during the critical developmental window between 24 and 36 months of age. This stage is characterised by substantial individual variability and has become increasingly vulnerable due to the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising educational disadvantage, and the widespread early exposure of young children to digital screens. Against this background, the project developed APP PAROLA, a web-based application designed for parents to promote children's language development and raise awareness of the pivotal role of everyday family interactions in fostering communication and language skills. APP PAROLA was developed through a participatory co-design approach that combined evidence from the scientific literature with the perspectives of researchers, paediatricians, educators, and families. Through questionnaires and focus groups, the project identified users' needs, expectations, and priorities, ensuring that the app was both scientifically grounded and responsive to families' everyday experiences. Conducted by the Universities of Bologna, Padua, and L'Aquila, the project translated research evidence into an accessible digital resource that supports parents in promoting their children's language development in daily life. The app includes tools for monitoring language development, practical activities to be carried out in naturalistic settings, and educational content addressing both language development and parenting. The project was funded under the PRIN 2022 programme.
Results achieved
During the first year, the project focused on the participatory development of APP PAROLA. Nearly 900 questionnaires were collected, and 19 focus groups, involving 126 parents, educators, teachers, and paediatricians, were conducted to inform the app's design and content. This work not only guided the development of the web app but also led to the creation of new research tools for assessing public awareness of language delay. APP PAROLA includes language-monitoring tools, 24 evidence-based activities that parents can integrate into everyday routines, and 12 podcasts providing practical guidance on language development and the role of parenting. During the second year, the project shifted its focus to the dissemination and implementation of the app through collaborations with paediatricians, educators, and teachers. Overall, the project received approximately 1,200 contacts from families and professionals, and more than 500 parents are currently using the app regularly, contributing to the ongoing data collection on children's language development. Dissemination activities included public events, workshops, professional training initiatives, scientific conferences, a dedicated project website, and extensive communication through university channels and national and local media. Together, these activities have promoted awareness of early language development while supporting the uptake of the app among families and professionals. The results achieved demonstrate the potential of APP PAROLA as an evidence-based digital resource that strengthens parental competencies, supports the early identification and prevention of language difficulties, and promotes early intervention, with strong potential for wider implementation across Italy.Project details
Unibo Team Leader: Annalisa Guarini
Unibo involved Department/s:
Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari"
Coordinator:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Total Eu Contribution: Euro (EUR) 204.946,00
Total Unibo Contribution: Euro (EUR) 96.726,00
Project Duration in months: 24
Start Date:
05/10/2023
End Date:
04/10/2025
