Review our final report for our 2022 Focus Groups
Parents & Professionals Apply Now – Limited Spaces Available
We are excited to invite you to join a select group of parents and professionals for our 2022 Focus Groups! We want to hear what you think about SS4Kids. Your vital feedback will provide information on how we can maximize the benefits for kids, families, and professionals through our online program. If interested, please read below for more details.
What is the goal of this focus group?
We wish to investigate the current and optimal use of our online music-based program, Sing and Speak 4 Kids (SS4Kids), that supports speech-language development in children ages 2-6 years with speech delays.
SS4Kids is facilitated in-home and in-person by a child’s parent or caregiver, and their teachers and clinicians (including paraprofessionals), who are the principal subjects of the focus group study. Parents and caregivers will have an opportunity to use SS4Kids with their child, and provide feedback and suggestions on the parent training materials, program operation, parent-child interaction, support system provided by SS4Kids, and other relevant commentary. Professionals will provide feedback on helping both the children and their parents, using SS4Kids as a supplemental training program. Video/audio recordings will be made of focus group sessions and interviews for research and outreach purposes.
Our focus group activities include:
- One-on-one interviews via Zoom or phone
- In-group discussions via Zoom
- 2 weeks usage of SS4Kids program with a child
- Professional-parent online interactions
- Some professionals with small groups of children in-person
- Surveys
Who is this focus group for?
We invite parents/caregivers and clinicians/teachers who are new to our program or have used our program. Children must be between the ages of 18 months and 7 years.
When is this focus group and how many hours are required of me to participate in this group?
Our focus groups will follow these activities, which will be recorded in video and/or audio for use by our research team and for outreach purposes:
- Application Process: Applications will be accepted beginning Friday, March 11, to Friday, March 18.
- Acceptance / Intake: If you are selected for a focus group, you will receive notice by Monday, March 21.
- Orientation / Game Registration: A 30 minute online meeting will present all details and answer questions for participants.
- SS4Kids Program usage: All participants will be asked to work with a child(ren) on their own, at least 3 times per week for 5-15 minutes each session, during a 2 week period between Friday, March 25 to Monday, April 11. Pending on parents’ consent, at least one SS4Kids session with a child should be video recorded for later analysis and feedback.
- Focus Groups: Focus group sessions will occur between Monday, April 11 and Friday, April 22. Each participant will attend one session for approximately 90 minutes.
- Survey / Interviews: Each participant will answer an emailed survey and have a 15-30 minute interview, during the week of April 25-30.
- Completion and payment: The last date for this focus group process will be Monday, May 9, when payments will be made for those who complete the full process.
Where will this focus group take place?
Focus groups will take place online via zoom. Some individual interviews may occur on the phone. Training for the children by parents will take place in-home. Professionals may train children in person or online. Selected professionals working with small groups of children will train in-person.
We will communicate with you through:
- Emails
- Text messages and phone calls
- Zoom or phone calls for interviews and focus groups
- Online surveys
Technology you will need to participate includes:
- An email account, Webcam, microphone, headphones/speakers
- Internet connected device to play SS4Kids (computer, laptop, tablet, phone)
Who is conducting this focus group research?
Besides some of SS4Kids / iQsonics team members and advisors, we are happy to have a small team of interns from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) to help conduct this focus group. Esil Empig, will be our lead coordinator and will be working with UNC students, Anthony Cerniglia and Rusty Bridgers.
What do participants receive for participating?
All participants who complete this Focus Groups’ requirements will receive $100 and 3 months free membership to SS4Kids.
We also will provide 3 months free membership to the parents and caregivers of the children with whom the professional worked with during the 2 week period of SS4Kids usage.
How do I apply?
PARENTS / CAREGIVERS
Please fill out an application here. Application is due by: March 21, 2022
PROFESSIONALS
Please fill out an application here. Application is due by: March 21, 2022
For further information:
Please contact SS4Kids Marketing & Outreach, Katelyn Miller at katelynm@iqsonics.com.
