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Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting

Date Submitted: Sep 5, 2024
Date Accepted: May 20, 2025

The final, peer-reviewed published version of this preprint can be found here:

A Low-Cost, Social Media–Supported Intervention for Caregivers to Enhance Toddlers’ Language Learning: Mixed Methods Feasibility and Acceptability Study

Romano M, Abarca D, Baehman F

A Low-Cost, Social Media–Supported Intervention for Caregivers to Enhance Toddlers’ Language Learning: Mixed Methods Feasibility and Acceptability Study

JMIR Pediatr Parent 2025;8:e66175

DOI: 10.2196/66175

PMID: 40550118

PMCID: 12235199

Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.

The feasibility and acceptability of a low-cost, media-supported intervention for caregivers to support infant-toddler language learning

  • Mollie Romano; 
  • Diana Abarca; 
  • Fran Baehman

ABSTRACT

Background:

This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of a low-intensity, short term social media intervention for caregivers of young toddlers.

Objective:

We used the TikTok platform to share short form videos to help increase caregiver knowledge about how to help their toddlers learn to talk.

Methods:

We used a mixed methods design to characterize participant engagement, explore measures of changes in caregiver knowledge, and we conducted a qualitative analysis of caregiver interviews after the intervention.

Results:

Most caregivers consistently viewed the videos and reported positive effects of the intervention on their knowledge of how to support their child. Caregivers offered suggestions for content and enhancements to videos for future investigations.

Conclusions:

Low-cost, short term social media interventions could represent an effective means to equip caregivers with information they need to advance their children’s language abilities, particularly for families from marginalized backgrounds whose access to health information about their young children may be limited. Clinical Trial: N/A


 Citation

Please cite as:

Romano M, Abarca D, Baehman F

A Low-Cost, Social Media–Supported Intervention for Caregivers to Enhance Toddlers’ Language Learning: Mixed Methods Feasibility and Acceptability Study

JMIR Pediatr Parent 2025;8:e66175

DOI: 10.2196/66175

PMID: 40550118

PMCID: 12235199

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