Characteristics of parent and child interactions and communication during shared book reading with young pre-school children with Down syndrome

The University of Reading are recruiting families to take part in a study that will examine parent-child interactions during shared book reading.

They are looking for children who have Down syndrome aged between two and four years old, living within a commutable distance from Twickenham or Reading. A researcher will visit the child’s home to carry out developmental assessments and video the child and the parent sharing a picture book. The visit will last less than two hours. We will also ask the parent to complete three questionnaires about their child’s vocabulary and general home reading practices.

This is the first of the three studies with the ultimate aim to, together with parents, co-create and test an intervention for young pre-school children with Down syndrome.

The project is supported by Economic and Social Research Council and undertaking in partnership with Down Syndrome Education International.

More information

Download the study flyer here

Visit the study’s website and/or Facebook page.

To take part

If you would like to take part in the study, please register here.

About the researchers

Emma Pagnamenta
Emma’s email

Emma is a lecturer in speech and language therapy, clinical academic and practicing speech and language therapist at the University of Reading. Emma’s research interests focus on speech, language and communication needs in childhood and include interventions to improve communication outcomes, and accessibility of support for children with communication needs.

Mirjana Jeremic
Mirjana’s email

Mirjana is PhD student at the University of Reading and practicing speech and language therapist. Her research interests focus on developing parent-mediated interventions with the aim of improving language and communication outcomes for children with communication needs such as Down syndrome and autism.

Vesna Stojanovik

Vesna is a professor of clinical linguistics at the University of Reading. Her research interests focus on the nature of language and communication development in children affected by genetic conditions such as Williams syndrome and Down syndrome.