Play And Learning Strategies Study For Toddlers Born Preterm
About us!
The is a collaborative study between Laboratory of Early Experiences and Development at the University of Houston and the Children’s Learning institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Together, we are conducting a longitudinal randomized clinical trial to examine whether a remotely – delivered early parenting program, PAL Strategies (PALS), supports healthy brain and behavior outcomes in toddlers born prematurely.
This work is supported by NIH funding awarded to Dr. Landry, Dr. DeMaster at UTHealth, and Dr. Bick at UH.
Meet the Team !
Johanna Bick, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Dana DeMaster, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Kelly Vaughn, Ph.D.
Assistant Principal Investigator
Cara Price
University of Texas Health Science Center
Megan Giles
University of Texas Health Science Center
Mayra Monreal
University of Texas Health Science Center
Xinge Li
University of Houston
Andrea Ortiz Jimenez
University of Houston
Anna Galvan
University of Houston
Ying Wang
University of Texas Health Science Center
Raul Anchiraico
University of Texas Health Science Center
Ogoamaka Nwana
University of Texas Health Science Center
Megan Chan
University of Houston
Leslie Garcia Perez
University of Houston
Monica Sanchez
University of Texas Health Science Center
What is PALS intervention?
Play and Learning Strategies (PALS) is a preventive intervention program to strengthen the bond between parent and child and to simulate early language, cognitive, and social development.
During the Program a trained parent coach will be assigned to each family, who will support the parent in applying specific responsive strategies. Even get to see pre-recorded videos of real parents and their children play together while using each strategy.
Parents gain new knowledge of strategies that help them respond in a more sensitive and contingent manner, and provide effective cognitive and language stimulation.
Our Mission :
Help parents support their young children’s social-emotional, cognitive, and language development
What are we looking at ?
Throughout this work, we hope to examine how early interventions can support more optimal brain functions, early attention and self- regulation, key components for a healthy cognitive and social development .
What does it mean to be apart of our study?
The study will consist of :
- 2 MRI & Behavioral visits ( these are usually done on the same day)
- 2 EEG visits
- Remote visits from assigned coach to learn parenting strategies.
We also provide additional services:
We provide transportation to families (Uber) to visits as well as childcare for any additional children that attend visit. Family will be in communication with both UH and UT team when it comes to scheduling visits.
We understand scheduling can be difficult, which is why we are very flexible. We work around parent’s schedules, we are available from Monday- Sunday , from morning to evenings.
We also have team members who speak fluent Spanish .
Interested In Being Apart Of The Study?
Click on the following link to our sign up sheet