Embedding Universal Language Promotion in Pediatric Primary Care to Optimize Early Child Development and Reduce Long-Term Health Disparities.

Creator(s)

Brenda Salley, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Heather von Bevern
Nicolette Grasley-Boy
Kandace Fleming
Kirsten Weltmer
Judith Carta

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2025

Identifier

DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000001344

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report on the feasibility and outcomes of universal language promotion intervention (Talk With Me Baby [TWMB]) embedded within routine well-child care for children from birth to 3-years old.

METHODS: Across 2 primary care clinics, 29 health care team members participated in a 12-month trial to deliver TWMB within well-child care visits. Feasibility was based on clinician feedback during the trial, clinician knowledge assessments, and clinic data. Sixty-three parents and their infant/toddlers were enrolled to provide feedback on TWMB and to assess parent language promotion behaviors, specifically, parents' self-reported use of their language-building interactions during daily activities with their child.

RESULTS: Clinician feedback and clinic data support TWMB as an acceptable and feasible intervention that can be used successfully within standard of care well-child visits by health care teams. Initial outcome data show positive changes for increasing parent-child language promoting interactions during daily activities.

CONCLUSION: Results support the promise of leveraging primary care as a low-cost, scalable way to deliver universal language promotion intervention to optimize the developmental potential of all young children.

Journal Title

Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP

Volume

46

Issue

2

First Page

183

Last Page

189

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Child, Preschool; Primary Health Care; Infant; Male; Female; Child Development; Feasibility Studies; Infant, Newborn; Parent-Child Relations; Language Development; Adult

PubMed ID

40232994

Keywords

infant; language development; language intervention; language promotion; parent-child interactions; pediatric primary care; preventative intervention; school readiness; toddler

Comments

Grants and funding

• HD112446/Children's Miracle Network through the University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Pediatrics, Kansas Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Recommended Citation

Salley B, von Bevern H, Grasley-Boy N, Fleming K, Weltmer K, Carta J. Embedding Universal Language Promotion in Pediatric Primary Care to Optimize Early Child Development and Reduce Long-Term Health Disparities. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2025;46(2):e183-e189. doi:10.1097/DBP.0000000000001344