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Acceptability of a Digital Early Years Language Support Service for Caregivers of Children Who Have SLCN and/or Are Multilingual

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Title: Acceptability of a Digital Early Years Language Support Service for Caregivers of Children Who Have SLCN and/or Are Multilingual
Language: English
Authors: Emily Hancock (ORCID 0009-0005-0770-4574), Colin Bannard (ORCID 0000-0001-5579-5830), Silke Fricke, Penny Levickis (ORCID 0000-0003-0534-733X), Rachel McGurk Isaacs, Cristina McKean (ORCID 0000-0001-9058-9813), Julian Pine, Gideon Salter, Rosie Sherlock, Kiera Solaiman, Danielle Matthews
Source: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2026 61(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Child Caregivers, Speech Impairments, Language Impairments, Communication Disorders, Speech Language Pathology, Caregiver Child Relationship, Parent Child Relationship, Interaction, Total Communication, Multilingualism, Children, Speech Therapy, Computer Mediated Communication, Outcomes of Treatment, Child Language, Caregiver Attitudes, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Evidence Based Practice, Telecommunications, Videoconferencing
DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.70210
ISSN: 1368-2822
1460-6984
Abstract: Background: Parent-child interaction (PCI) interventions have the potential to mitigate early-identified risks of Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). PCI interventions can be delivered at Universal, Targeted and Specialist levels, but evidence for effectiveness at the Universal level is lacking, especially for some populations. We examine the acceptability of a universal PCI intervention for two underserved groups: children who have SLCN and/or are multilingual. For the former group we also explore acceptability of a supplementary, targeted intervention. Aim: This study aimed to: (a) evaluate the acceptability of a digital early years PCI support service--comprising a universal text-message service delivering BBC Tiny Happy People videos and targeted speech and language therapy following the Early Language Identification Measure & Intervention (ELIM-I); (b) establish the interest of families with children who have, or are at risk of, SLCN (N = 61) and/or are multilingual (N = 26) in utilising the service, and explore their perceptions regarding merits and drawbacks of the service, and elicit recommendations for improvements. Methods & Procedures: We employed a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected via questionnaires based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured online interviews. Families of children with SLCN provided prospective acceptability data after reviewing three videos, indicating their view of receiving similar weekly video content via text message. Those who then opted to try the text service for a month provided retrospective acceptability data, with additional questions for participants who received the targeted online ELIM-I intervention. Multilingual families received the service for three months before providing retrospective acceptability data. Outcomes & Results: Quantitative analyses revealed that all acceptability ratings were high on average, though there was individual variability. Reflexive thematic analysis of caregivers' qualitative data identified three central themes: (a) demand for trustworthy guidance to address uncertainty; (b) positives including service suitability for busy family life, personalisation, human connection and reassurance, enjoyment and perceived efficacy; (c) a need for inclusive content, especially for children with complex SLCN. Conclusions & Implications: There is a clear desire for early digital services to help caregivers support their children's language development. Acceptability was generally high. Caregivers wanted to see their family represented in video content. This was largely successful for the multilingual group with content celebrating home languages. Caregivers of children with SLCN sometimes felt under-represented and recommended demonstrating support strategies appropriate for their child's age and stage of development.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://osf.io/ty9d7
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500576
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Acceptability of a Digital Early Years Language Support Service for Caregivers of Children Who Have SLCN and/or Are Multilingual
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emily+Hancock%22">Emily Hancock</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0770-4574">0009-0005-0770-4574</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Colin+Bannard%22">Colin Bannard</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5579-5830">0000-0001-5579-5830</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Silke+Fricke%22">Silke Fricke</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Penny+Levickis%22">Penny Levickis</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0534-733X">0000-0003-0534-733X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rachel+McGurk+Isaacs%22">Rachel McGurk Isaacs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cristina+McKean%22">Cristina McKean</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9058-9813">0000-0001-9058-9813</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Julian+Pine%22">Julian Pine</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gideon+Salter%22">Gideon Salter</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rosie+Sherlock%22">Rosie Sherlock</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kiera+Solaiman%22">Kiera Solaiman</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Danielle+Matthews%22">Danielle Matthews</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Language+%26+Communication+Disorders%22"><i>International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders</i></searchLink>. 2026 61(2).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 14
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Child+Caregivers%22">Child Caregivers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Speech+Impairments%22">Speech Impairments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Impairments%22">Language Impairments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Disorders%22">Communication Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Speech+Language+Pathology%22">Speech Language Pathology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Caregiver+Child+Relationship%22">Caregiver Child Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Parent+Child+Relationship%22">Parent Child Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interaction%22">Interaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Total+Communication%22">Total Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Multilingualism%22">Multilingualism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Children%22">Children</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Speech+Therapy%22">Speech Therapy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Mediated+Communication%22">Computer Mediated Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Outcomes+of+Treatment%22">Outcomes of Treatment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Child+Language%22">Child Language</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Caregiver+Attitudes%22">Caregiver Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Developmentally+Appropriate+Practices%22">Developmentally Appropriate Practices</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Evidence+Based+Practice%22">Evidence Based Practice</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Telecommunications%22">Telecommunications</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Videoconferencing%22">Videoconferencing</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
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  Data: 10.1111/1460-6984.70210
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  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1368-2822<br />1460-6984
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Parent-child interaction (PCI) interventions have the potential to mitigate early-identified risks of Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). PCI interventions can be delivered at Universal, Targeted and Specialist levels, but evidence for effectiveness at the Universal level is lacking, especially for some populations. We examine the acceptability of a universal PCI intervention for two underserved groups: children who have SLCN and/or are multilingual. For the former group we also explore acceptability of a supplementary, targeted intervention. Aim: This study aimed to: (a) evaluate the acceptability of a digital early years PCI support service--comprising a universal text-message service delivering BBC Tiny Happy People videos and targeted speech and language therapy following the Early Language Identification Measure & Intervention (ELIM-I); (b) establish the interest of families with children who have, or are at risk of, SLCN (N = 61) and/or are multilingual (N = 26) in utilising the service, and explore their perceptions regarding merits and drawbacks of the service, and elicit recommendations for improvements. Methods & Procedures: We employed a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected via questionnaires based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured online interviews. Families of children with SLCN provided prospective acceptability data after reviewing three videos, indicating their view of receiving similar weekly video content via text message. Those who then opted to try the text service for a month provided retrospective acceptability data, with additional questions for participants who received the targeted online ELIM-I intervention. Multilingual families received the service for three months before providing retrospective acceptability data. Outcomes & Results: Quantitative analyses revealed that all acceptability ratings were high on average, though there was individual variability. Reflexive thematic analysis of caregivers' qualitative data identified three central themes: (a) demand for trustworthy guidance to address uncertainty; (b) positives including service suitability for busy family life, personalisation, human connection and reassurance, enjoyment and perceived efficacy; (c) a need for inclusive content, especially for children with complex SLCN. Conclusions & Implications: There is a clear desire for early digital services to help caregivers support their children's language development. Acceptability was generally high. Caregivers wanted to see their family represented in video content. This was largely successful for the multilingual group with content celebrating home languages. Caregivers of children with SLCN sometimes felt under-represented and recommended demonstrating support strategies appropriate for their child's age and stage of development.
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  Data: https://osf.io/ty9d7
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1500576
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