Improving School Transition By Improving Child Sleep: A Translational Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$745,827.00
Summary
A successful transition to school sets a child on a path for life. A poor transition can lead to early drop out, poor peer relationships and poor emotional skills. In 2008/09, we found that a brief sleep intervention for children improved key determinants of a successful transition including social-emotional functioning and parent mental health. We now plan to see if the same intervention, delivered by school nurses, can have a similar effect.
Can Home-visiting Improve Early School Entry Outcomes?: Following The Right@home Randomised Trial To Age 5 Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,042,204.00
Summary
Inequalities in health and developmental outcomes are evident by the time Australian children start school. The “right@home” randomised controlled trial (2013-2016) will evaluate the impact of sustained nurse home visiting for the most disadvantaged families through targeted and intensive delivery of child health, development and parenting support until the children turns 2 years. Follow-up to school entry will evaluate the impact on health and developmental outcomes at ages 3 and 5 years.
Preventing Early Academic Problems By Improving Working Memory: Translational Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,085.00
Summary
Learning difficulties are common and can cause school failure and poor self-esteem. They are associated with specific problems with temporarily remembering and using information (‘working memory’). Research suggests that improving working memory might improve academic achievement. We will study this intervention in a large group of primary school children who have poor working memory. If successful, the intervention will provide a way to improve the learning skills of these high-risk children.