The impact of the Mellow Parenting programme on later measures of childhood verbal IQ

Abstract

Aim(s):Development of language is one of the most remarkable and pivotal achievements in early childhood with the majority of children learning to talk by the age of three years. Good language development has major social and academic advantages. Poor language development puts them at an increased risk of behaviour problems, psychiatric disorders, and later educational failure. However, as many as 20 per cent of parents in the UK have concerns over their children’s speech and language development. Early childhood is the most effective and cost-efficient time to ensure that all children develop their full potential.Method/Rationale:The present study investigated the impact of an evaluated parenting programme, Mellow Parenting, delivered when the child was aged between 3 and 5 years on verbal IQ using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI), and compared the findings to a control group who experienced Care as Usual in nearby nurseries.Findings:The Mellow Parenting programme resulted in a 7.89 point increase in verbal IQ by the target group, sustained over 18 months, using the WPPSI. No such effect was seen in a contrast group, who experienced Care as Usual in nearby nurseries. The programme aims to help them make changes in their relationships including increasing positive parent-child interaction.Conclusions:The present study found that the group intervention, contrasted with Care as Usual in neighbouring family centres, resulted in a clinically significant improvement in the children’s verbal IQ of a magnitude to enable them to enter the school system with age appropriate verbal skills.