MIDDLETOWN, CT -- Reach Out and Read has launched a new research study being conducted in Connecticut. Thanks to the generous support of The Grossman Family Foundation and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr/ U.S. Bank Foundation, the study, "Rx for Success: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Technology-Based Dialogic Reading Training Incorporated into the Reach Out and Read Program" started enrolling families in April of 2018.
Families attending 6-month and 18-month well-child visits at Community Health Center, Inc. @ Connecticut Children's Medical Center will be invited to participate in the study. Families enrolled in the intervention arm will be assisted in down-loading a cell phone app providing access to videos that demonstrate talking with babies and toddlers through the normal routines of the day and model dialogic reading. The app also pushes out reminders, at a frequency set by the family, to encourage families to enjoy simple interactive activities with their young children. Control families will also receive a children's book, "Baby Unplugged." Once in the exam room, the Reach Out and Read intervention occurs as usual. Information will be collected from families including demographics, parents' interactions with their child, home literacy environment, child's language development, social-emotional development and family use of electronic devices.