Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Sharing Tales That Teach: Shared Picturebook Reading for Early Childhood Emotional and Cognitive Development

This study, called "Sharing Tales That Teach," is for children aged 4-5 and their main carers. It investigates whether reading picture books together can help children develop essential skills, like understanding and managing their feelings (emotion regulation). Some families will learn special ways to talk about emotions during reading, while others will use standard reading techniques. Both groups will read at home for 8 weeks. Researchers will then check if the emotion-focused reading helps children improve their emotional skills more. The study also looks at how reading affects children's ability to focus and remember instructions, as well as the well-being of the carers involved.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Greenwich

Enrolment target

200

Start

01 Sep 2026

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2028

Child Development Executive Functions (EF)Emotion Regulation

What is this study about?

This research project, called "Sharing Tales That Teach," is looking into whether reading picture books with young children in a specific way can help them develop important skills. We know that children aged 4-5 are in a key stage of learning how to understand, express, and manage their feelings. These skills, often called 'emotion regulation,' are really important for children to learn and get along with others.

The study also explores how these emotional skills are connected to other essential abilities, such as being able to remember instructions, control urges, or switch between different activities. These are sometimes called 'executive functions.' Sharing picture books is a natural and gentle way that parents and carers already interact with children, so it could be a great way to support these skills.

In this study, families will be split into two groups by chance. One group will learn special techniques to focus on emotions while reading picture books. This means carers will be taught to name feelings, discuss why characters feel a certain way, talk about the results of emotions, and show how to handle feelings. The other group will learn standard reading techniques, like describing pictures and asking open questions, but without the extra focus on emotions. Both groups will use the same books and be asked to read together three times a week for 8 weeks at home. Researchers will then compare how much children in both groups have improved their emotion regulation.

Key takeaways

The study helps children aged 4-5 understand and manage their feelings.
It uses shared picture book reading as a gentle way to teach these skills.
Families read together at home for 8 weeks.
No medicines or invasive procedures are involved – it's very low risk.
Your child's school attendance or care will not be affected if you join or leave the study.
The study also looks at how it might affect carers' well-being.

Who may be eligible?

The study is looking for children aged 4 to 5 years old who are currently attending a state primary school in Greater London. We also need their main carer, who is happy to take part in reading activities and complete some questionnaires.

It's important that the carer feels comfortable understanding English, as the study materials and questionnaires will be in English.

Unfortunately, if your child has an uncorrected problem with their hearing or vision that would make it hard for them to do the study tasks, or if your family isn't able to commit to the assessments at the start and later on, then this study might not be suitable.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your child aged 4 or 5?
Is your child attending a state primary school in Greater London?
Are you, as the main carer, happy to read with your child and fill out questionnaires?
Are you comfortable understanding English study materials?
Does your child have clear vision and hearing that doesn't stop them taking part in activities?
Can you commit to attending assessments at the start and later in the study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you and your child join the study, you'll be put into one of two groups by chance. Both groups will receive training materials that explain how to read picture books with your child. You'll be asked to read with your child three times a week for 8 weeks at home.

At the beginning of the study, and then again later on (up to 12 months later), your child will complete some age-appropriate games and activities to assess their skills, and you, as the carer, will fill out some questionnaires. Some children may also be asked if they’d like to take part in extra activities in a lab setting, but this would be discussed fully with you. The total study duration involves these assessments and the 8 weeks of reading, followed by further assessments up to a year later.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study is considered very low risk. It does not involve any medical treatments or invasive procedures. The exercises and activities are gentle and age-appropriate for children. A potential benefit is that your child may develop a better understanding of emotions and improved self-management skills, and you might learn new ways to interact with them through reading. However, we cannot guarantee any specific outcome. You are completely free to withdraw yourself and your child from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your child's schooling or your care.

Locations (1)

University of Greenwich
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'emotion regulation'?

It's about how children learn to understand, show, and manage their feelings in helpful ways.

Will my child have to take medicine?

No, this study does not involve any medicines or medical treatments.

How much reading do we need to do?

You'll be asked to read with your child three times a week for 8 weeks.

What if we change our minds a few weeks in?

You are free to stop participating in the study at any point, with no questions asked.

Who is running this study?

This study is being run by researchers looking into child development.

How to find out more

Benjamin RG Sigsworth, MSc

benjamin.sigsworth@greenwich.ac.uk 0044-20-8331-8000 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.