Parenting Program to Improve Self-Control Skills in Young Children

Plain-English translation of NCT06241300 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated July 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether a parenting program called the Chicago Parent Program can help young children develop better self-control and executive functioning skills. Executive functioning is the ability to pay attention, manage emotions, and follow directions — skills that children living in poverty often struggle with. The study will measure changes in both the child's brain activity and behavior to see if the program works.

Children growing up in poverty often face stress and challenges that make it harder for them to develop self-control and manage their behavior. Currently, no prevention programs have been proven to directly target and improve these self-control skills in young children before serious behavior problems develop. This trial aims to fill that gap by testing whether teaching parents better parenting strategies can help their children build these important skills.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

your child is between 4 and 5 years old
you are your child's legal parent or guardian and live with them full-time
your child has Medicaid or your family income qualifies for Medicaid (up to 142% of the federal poverty level)
your child shows moderate-to-severe delays in self-control and attention skills (as measured by a screening test)
your child does not have a current diagnosis of a disruptive behavior disorder
you and your child are English speakers

You likely don't qualify if…

your child has already been diagnosed with a disruptive behavior disorder
your child is currently receiving mental health services or taking medications for emotional or behavior problems
your child has a medical condition like epilepsy that would interfere with study activities
you have a severe mental illness, active suicidal thoughts, or current substance abuse that would prevent you from participating
you are younger than 18 years old or do not have full-time custody of the child

What participation looks like

If you are selected, you and your child will be randomly assigned to either receive the parenting program or to a control group that does not receive the program. If assigned to the program, you will attend 12 group sessions over about 3 months, led by trained facilitators, where you'll learn positive parenting strategies, behavior management techniques, and stress management skills. Throughout the study, your child will complete tests of self-control and attention, and researchers may use brain imaging to measure changes in your child's development.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 13, 2026 · Not medical advice

Parenting Program to Improve Self-Control Skills in Young Children

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations