Abstract
Kia Tīmata Pai (Best Start) is a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the added value of professional development for early childhood teachers in which 136 centres across New Zealand were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: oral language (Enhancing Rich Interactions; ENRICH); self-regulation (Enhancing Neurobehavioural Gains through Activities, Games, and Exercises; ENGAGE); oral language plus self-regulation (ENRICH and ENGAGE); and active control (curriculum-as-usual plus child development webinars).
This first large-scale trial to compare oral language and self-regulation enrichment includes at Wave 1 in 2021–2022: children (N = 1481; M = 20.6 months), parents (N = 1481), and teachers (N = 1625).
Data waves occur every 9 months to age 5 using parent and teacher questionnaires of early learning practices and children’s oral language, self-regulation, and developmental concerns. Each wave is followed by professional development workshops in ENRICH and/or ENGAGE, or child development webinars.
Sub-studies are the Video Project (naturalistic observation of N = 64 teachers and 94 children from Wave 1) and the Brain Development and Behaviour study (neurophysiological and behavioural development and parent–child interactions of N = 235 children and their parents from Wave 1).
Parents have consented to follow-up for long-term analyses of children’s development and academic functioning.