Using technology to improve school readiness
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using a new mobile technology (TANDEM) to improve school readiness in Liverpool: a mixed-methods feasibility study
IRAS ID
353585
Contact name
Ian Sinha
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Alder Hey Children's Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
One of the most important things we can achieve for children is improving their educational potential, as this is a crucial factor in their current and future health and prospects. This study aims to understand barriers to school readiness (specifically reading ability) in children from deprived backgrounds, and children who were born prematurely. To do this, we will pilot a mobile phone application which uses generative AI technology to promote shared reading between parents and children. We will recruit parents and carers aged >18 years, with a child who is aged between 2 and 6 years, who is attending a GP practise in Merseyside or attending Alder Hey Children's Hospital for inpatient or outpatient care. We will also recruit healthcare professionals (play specialists and paediatricians) from Alder Hey Children's Hospital and surrounding nurseries and Community Paediatric clinics. We will provide participants with a free 3-month trial of this application. We will conduct surveys before and after the application trail, and focus groups (+/- one-to-one interviews if these are more suitable) to gather parent's and professional's opinions on this. This will be used to produce a “Cost, Capacity, Clock analysis” to identify steps which may predict the effectiveness of the application as a way to improve school readiness and reduce health inequalities. The study will run for up to 18 months.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
25/WA/0145
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion