Abstract
Language development is characterized by wide interindividual variability between 24 and 36 months, and some children show language delay with cascading effects at preschool and school age. The prevalence of language delay might have increased in the last years due to the atypical constraints associated with the COVID pandemic and rising economic and educational poverty. Parents can mitigate the risk of language delay and proactively facilitate an optimal communication environment for their children. Recent studies have proposed that apps can support parents of children with atypical development. The current project aimed to develop the PAROLA app for parents of monolingual, bilingual, and multilingual children within the critical period between 24 and 36 months. The app contents were developed in the first year of the project through an innovative participatory approach that combined literature analysis, the experience of research units, and adults’ points of view (parents, pediatricians, educators/teachers). To collect adults’ public awareness and perspectives, we proposed self-reported questionnaires and focus groups. Questionnaires were completed by approximately 500 participants (73% parents and 27% educators/teachers). In addition, 12 focus groups were conducted, involving around 100 participants, including parents, educators/teachers, and paediatricians. The app was organized into different sections. The first section collected data on family composition, socioeconomic status, language acquisition, and exposure. In the second section, parents can fill in questionnaires to observe their children's language development. In section 3, we proposed 24 weekly activities within naturalistic and ecological environments, promoting components of language development, integrating music, book-sharing, and indoor and outdoor motor activities. Materials for activities were available in section 4. In section 5, parents can download short reports of their children's language skills through questionnaires filled in section 2. In the final section, 13 podcasts produced by the research group are available to inform parents about language development. In the second year of the project, we offered the app to about 600 parents of children aged 24-30 months, thanks to the support of pediatricians, educators/teachers, and the parents involved in the first year of the project. Parents can use the app for six months up to the child’s age of 36 months. The app had two main goals. The first was to collect data using an innovative Ecological Momentary Assessment, investigating the prevalence of linguistic delays in three regions in the North and South of Italy, exploring the association with risk and protective factors, describing linguistic profiles, supporting parents in observing their child’s language development, and referring possible difficulties to pediatricians and educators/teachers. The second aim was to offer an Ecological Momentary Intervention to support parents in promoting their child’s language acquisition through activities provided in the app. We hypothesized that the PAROLA app would support child’s language development, thanks to an indirect effect mediated by parents. Thanks to observation and activities, parents could increase their attention to specific aspects of their child’s development, enriching the home language environment and promoting effective strategies. Preliminary results have been disseminated through peer-reviewed articles, presentations at conferences, and webinars for pediatricians, educators/teachers, and parents. Italian Version Lo sviluppo del linguaggio è caratterizzato da una ampia variabilità interindividuale tra i 24 e i 36 mesi. All’interno di questa ampia variabilità alcuni bambini mostrano difficoltà nell’acquisizione delle competenze linguistiche con effetti a cascata negli apprendimenti successivi in età prescolare e scolare. La prevalenza
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Annalisa Guarini
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari"
Coordinatore:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Contributo totale di progetto: Euro (EUR) 204.946,00
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 96.726,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
05/10/2023
Data di fine:
04/10/2025
