Kia Tīmata Pai (Best Start Video Project): Impact of an Oral Language Intervention (ENRICH) on Linguistic Aspects of Educator-Toddler Interactions

This study investigated the impact of an educator-implemented oral language intervention, Enhancing Rich Interactions (ENRICH), on linguistic aspects of educator-toddler interactions. Twenty-four early childhood classrooms were assigned to either ENRICH or an Active Control condition; ENRICH educators received professional development in serve-and-return interactions. Results revealed effects of ENRICH for educators’ shorter conversational turn length in book-reading and less complex utterances in diapering/toileting over time, and children’s increased utterances during book-reading over time. Professional development programs aimed at improving educator-toddler interactions should consider focusing on specific contexts where the intervention showed promise, alongside strengthening components targeting speech quality across daily routines.