NCT06831851

Effects of Music and Storytelling on Linguistic, Socioemotional, and Adaptive Development in Children Aged 12-36 Months: an Intervention Protocol in Municipal Early Childhood Centers

The Influence of Music and Storytelling on the Linguistic, Socioemotional, and Adaptive Development of Children Aged 12-36 Months: an Intervention Protocol in an Enriched Environment Conducted in Municipal Early Childhood Education Centers (CMEIs)

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 16 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universidade Federal de Pernambuco · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 12 Months – 36 Months
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the impact of a structured enriched environment on the linguistic, adaptive behavior, and socioemotional development of children aged 12 to 36 months. The study addresses two main questions: Does the intervention improve linguistic, adaptive behavior, and socioemotional development compared to standard care? Does parental guidance amplify the benefits of the intervention? Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Intervention Group: Children will participate in musical activities twice per week (singing, exploring simple instruments, and musical games) and daily storytelling sessions using interactive and visual aids. Within this group, parents in the "with guidance" subgroup will attend biweekly meetings to learn strategies for reinforcing the intervention at home, while the "without guidance" subgroup will not include parental training. Control Group: Children will receive standard care complemented by alternative artistic and pedagogical activities (e.g., drawing, painting), without the structured intervention.

Detailed description

This study aims to evaluate the impact of an enriched intervention program on early childhood development, emphasizing the role of parental involvement. Participants will be randomly assigned to two main groups: Control Group: Children will follow routine childcare activities, including artistic and educational engagements (e.g., drawing, painting, storytelling). Intervention Group: Children in this group will participate in a structured program combining daily storytelling sessions and weekly musicalization activities. This group will be further divided into two subgroups: With Parental Guidance: Parents or guardians will attend bi-weekly guidance meetings to receive strategies for reinforcing the intervention at home. Without Parental Guidance: No parental meetings will be conducted; children will participate in the program independently. Intervention Activities: The intervention includes: Storytelling: Interactive, daily sessions (30 minutes/day) designed to foster creativity and imagination using visual and verbal methods. Musicalization: Interactive, twice-weekly sessions (40 minutes each) incorporating singing, rhythm games, and exploration of simple musical instruments to enhance motor and cognitive skills. Assessment Measures: The primary developmental domains-linguistic, socio-emotional, and adaptive behaviors-will be assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III). Secondary measures include parental adherence (in the guidance subgroup) and engagement levels during activities. This pilot study will provide foundational data to support the development of larger-scale, evidence-based interventions focused on enhancing early childhood developmental outcomes.

Conditions

• Child Development
• Adaptive Behavior
• Early Child Development
• Music Education
• Preschool Education

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Storytelling Sessions	Children will participate in structured storytelling sessions, held once a week for 30 minutes per session. The sessions will use interactive narrative techniques, including voice modulation, gestures, and visual aids, to enhance cognitive, linguistic, and socio-emotional development. The intervention is designed to promote active engagement, stimulate imagination, and improve attention and language skills in early childhood.
BEHAVIORAL	Music Education Sessions	Children will participate in structured music education sessions, conducted twice per week for 40 minutes each. The sessions will include rhythm exercises, vocalization, body percussion, and instrumental exploration using age-appropriate musical instruments. Activities will be designed to enhance cognitive, motor, and socio-emotional development by fostering auditory discrimination, fine and gross motor coordination, and social interaction. The intervention follows an interactive and play-based methodology, ensuring active engagement and progressive learning.
BEHAVIORAL	Parental Guidance Sessions	Parents or guardians will attend 8 biweekly training sessions (60 minutes each) designed to equip them with strategies for cognitive, linguistic, and socio-emotional stimulation in early childhood. The sessions will include practical guidance on storytelling techniques, musical interaction, and play-based learning to reinforce the intervention at home. The goal is to create continuity between structured intervention activities and the home environment, maximizing developmental outcomes for the children. Sessions will be interactive, combining theoretical content with practical exercises and demonstrations
BEHAVIORAL	Standard Daycare Activities	Children in this group will participate in regular daycare activities, including artistic and pedagogical tasks such as drawing, painting, and modeling. These activities are part of the standard curriculum and do not include structured storytelling or music education interventions

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-06-02
• Primary completion: 2025-10-01
• Completion: 2025-11-01
• First posted: 2025-02-18
• Last updated: 2025-03-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Brazil