Researching the Incredible Years Infant

& Toddler Programmes

Researching the Incredible Years Infant

& Toddler Programmes

Nia GriffithBangor University

Nia GriffithBangor University

The new programmeThe new programme

The new Infant and Toddler Programme developed by Carolyn Webster-

Strattonto promote Early Development

The programme is set in two parts• 0-1 years• 1-3 years

The new Infant and Toddler Programme developed by Carolyn Webster-

Strattonto promote Early Development

The programme is set in two parts• 0-1 years• 1-3 years

Flying StartFlying Start

Flying start initiative aims to fund high quality services for children aged 0-3 years in disadvantaged areas in Wales

• Extra health visits• Free childcare• Basic skills• Parenting courses

The Infant and Toddler programme was developed by Carolyn Webster-Stratton in response for the demand for a parenting programme to fulfill the needs of the Flying start programme

Flying start initiative aims to fund high quality services for children aged 0-3 years in disadvantaged areas in Wales

• Extra health visits• Free childcare• Basic skills• Parenting courses

The Infant and Toddler programme was developed by Carolyn Webster-Stratton in response for the demand for a parenting programme to fulfill the needs of the Flying start programme

Infant 0-1 yearsInfant 0-1 years

Programme contains six topics, 6-8 sessions in length

1. Getting to know your Baby (0-3 months)2. Babies as Intelligent Learners (3-6 months)3. Providing Physical, Tactile and Visual Stimulation4. Parents Learning to Read Babies Minds5. Gaining Support6. Babies Emerging Sense of Self (6-12 months)

Programme contains six topics, 6-8 sessions in length

1. Getting to know your Baby (0-3 months)2. Babies as Intelligent Learners (3-6 months)3. Providing Physical, Tactile and Visual Stimulation4. Parents Learning to Read Babies Minds5. Gaining Support6. Babies Emerging Sense of Self (6-12 months)

Toddler 1-3 yearsToddler 1-3 years

Programme contains eight topics, and is 12 sessions in length

1. Child-Directed Play Promotes Positive Relationships2. Promoting Toddler’s Language with Child-Directed Coaching3. Social and Emotional Coaching4. The Art of Praise and Encouragement5. Spontaneous Incentives for Toddlers6. Handling Separations and Reunions7. Positive Discipline- Effective Limit Setting8. Positive Discipline- Handling Misbehaviour

Programme contains eight topics, and is 12 sessions in length

1. Child-Directed Play Promotes Positive Relationships2. Promoting Toddler’s Language with Child-Directed Coaching3. Social and Emotional Coaching4. The Art of Praise and Encouragement5. Spontaneous Incentives for Toddlers6. Handling Separations and Reunions7. Positive Discipline- Effective Limit Setting8. Positive Discipline- Handling Misbehaviour

Randomised Controlled Trial

Randomised Controlled Trial

• An outcome study where participants are randomly assigned to intervention or waiting list control conditions

• 18 Participants will be recruited in each service area, and will be randomly allocated to intervention or control groups, 2:1 ratio

• This type of study is recognized as ‘the best and most definitive way of demonstrating that an intervention is effective’ (Kazdin, 2003)

• Services aware they must deliver the programme to control participants following completion of data collection

• An outcome study where participants are randomly assigned to intervention or waiting list control conditions

• 18 Participants will be recruited in each service area, and will be randomly allocated to intervention or control groups, 2:1 ratio

• This type of study is recognized as ‘the best and most definitive way of demonstrating that an intervention is effective’ (Kazdin, 2003)

• Services aware they must deliver the programme to control participants following completion of data collection

Proposed TimetableProposed Timetable

• Jan-Mar 08 Develop detailed observation scale to observe the interaction between mother and child.

• Apr-Jun 08 Field test the observational scaleRecruit the first three service

• Jul-Aug 08 Collect baseline measures for services 1, 2 and 3

Recruit services 4,5 and 6• Sep-Oct 08 Delivery of IY Infant programme in three of the

servicesCollect baseline measures for services 4, 5 and

6• Nov-Dec 08 6-month follow-up for services 1,2 and 3

Delivery of IY Infant programme in services 4,5 and 6

• Jan-Mar 08 Develop detailed observation scale to observe the interaction between mother and child.

• Apr-Jun 08 Field test the observational scaleRecruit the first three service

• Jul-Aug 08 Collect baseline measures for services 1, 2 and 3

Recruit services 4,5 and 6• Sep-Oct 08 Delivery of IY Infant programme in three of the

servicesCollect baseline measures for services 4, 5 and

6• Nov-Dec 08 6-month follow-up for services 1,2 and 3

Delivery of IY Infant programme in services 4,5 and 6

Proposed TimetableProposed Timetable

• Jan-Feb 09 6-month follow-up for services 4, 5 and 6• Jan-Mar 09 Delivery of IY Toddler programme to services

1, 2 and 3• Apr-May 09 Second follow up for services 1, 2 and 3• Jun-Jul 09 Second follow up for services 4, 5 and 6

Delivery of IY Infant programme to control families

• Sep-Oct 09 Delivery of IY Toddler programme to control families

• Aug-Dec 09 12-month follow up for all intervention families

Throughout the RCT high levels of supervision will be delivered.

• Jan-Feb 09 6-month follow-up for services 4, 5 and 6• Jan-Mar 09 Delivery of IY Toddler programme to services

1, 2 and 3• Apr-May 09 Second follow up for services 1, 2 and 3• Jun-Jul 09 Second follow up for services 4, 5 and 6

Delivery of IY Infant programme to control families

• Sep-Oct 09 Delivery of IY Toddler programme to control families

• Aug-Dec 09 12-month follow up for all intervention families

Throughout the RCT high levels of supervision will be delivered.

Participating ServicesParticipating Services

What we need

• Six flying start services • Experienced trained leaders • High levels of supervision • Continued involvement of service managers

What are the long-term benefits for service providers

• Lessons in programme fidelity• Receive post-project outcome data• Builds on the number of certified leaders available to ensure

effective programme delivery in the future

What we need

• Six flying start services • Experienced trained leaders • High levels of supervision • Continued involvement of service managers

What are the long-term benefits for service providers

• Lessons in programme fidelity• Receive post-project outcome data• Builds on the number of certified leaders available to ensure

effective programme delivery in the future

Other ServicesOther Services

While we have funding from WAG to evaluate the programme across 6 flying start areas, this does not mean we only need 6 participating services.

Incredible Years Wales is interested in supplying other services who will be rolling out the Infant and Toddler Programme with before and after parent report measures, to enable additional data analysis to take place in other services.

Services to receive feedback

Services to receive supervision

While we have funding from WAG to evaluate the programme across 6 flying start areas, this does not mean we only need 6 participating services.

Incredible Years Wales is interested in supplying other services who will be rolling out the Infant and Toddler Programme with before and after parent report measures, to enable additional data analysis to take place in other services.

Services to receive feedback

Services to receive supervision

FundingFunding

• Limited

• Research Funded Materials, staff for recruitment, data collection &

Supervision

• Service Funded Staffing costs, Crèche availability,

travel to supervision

• Limited

• Research Funded Materials, staff for recruitment, data collection &

Supervision

• Service Funded Staffing costs, Crèche availability,

travel to supervision

A Battery of MeasuresA Battery of Measures

• What do we measure?

• What is practical in the time we have?

• What do we measure?

• What is practical in the time we have?

What do we measure?What do we measure?• Developmental Measure of attainment of developmental milestones in

areas of• Loco-motor• Personal-Social• Hearing & Language• Eye & Hand co-ordination• Performance

• Measure of the home environment• Measure of maternal depression• Measure of maternal sensitivity / responsivity• Measure of parenting• Demographic and family risk factors• Direct home observation

The battery must be easily administered in a short time period, as the children are so young, and will only be awake for a limited time.

• Developmental Measure of attainment of developmental milestones in areas of

• Loco-motor• Personal-Social• Hearing & Language• Eye & Hand co-ordination• Performance

• Measure of the home environment• Measure of maternal depression• Measure of maternal sensitivity / responsivity• Measure of parenting• Demographic and family risk factors• Direct home observation

The battery must be easily administered in a short time period, as the children are so young, and will only be awake for a limited time.

In ConclusionIn Conclusion

• Recruitment• Design• A battery of measures

• Recruitment• Design• A battery of measures