Project 1, 2, 3, GO!

This is a study with 2 to 3-year-old children (28-39 months old) and their parents.

We are interested in finding out more about self-control skills in young children. These skills are critical for children’s positive social development, but we know little about how children gain these skills. We want to learn more about what families do to promote positive behaviors in children.

We asked mothers and their 2 to 3-year-old children (28 to 39 months) to come to the University of Washington for a 2 hour session in which we played some games, like Simon Says, with the children, observed mothers playing with their children, and had mothers fill out a questionnaire. We will also sent home a questionnaire for fathers or other parent to fill out (if a father/second parent was present in the family). We asked families to return for 2 more session separated by 6 months each; each session was similar to the first. Families received $40 for their time and effort in the first session, and the compensation will increased by $10 in each of the following sessions. Also, children received a small prize as thanks for participating.

We asked teachers at pre-schools and daycares around the Seattle area to distribute an information form to families. The form allowed families to indicate whether or not they might be interested in being considered for participation in the study. We asked teachers to collect the forms from families, so we could ensure that all families had an opportunity to consider participating in the study. Teachers were provided with a postage-paid envelope in which to return the forms they collected. When 90% of families returned their forms, whether or not they agreed to participate, the classroom received an honorarium of $45 for participating. If a classroom returned 75% or 50% of flyers, it received $35 or $25, respectively. Teachers were free to decline participation.

When a teacher at a school helped with the project, we offered the teachers and staff at that school a one-time, 2-hour seminar on a topic about children’s development and psychological adjustment.

If you are interested in helping with this research project, please feel free to contact us with questions at 206-616-6297.

Mailing address

Kid's World Project
Attention: Liliana Lengua
University of Washington
Box: 351525
Seattle, WA 98195-1525

Email

cfnkw@u.washington.edu