Translational research in action: The use of technology to disseminate information to parents during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Laxton, Debra; Cooper, Linda; Younie, Sarah

This paper addresses the research problem of how to reach, engage and support parents in home‐educating young children during the first national COVID‐19 lockdown in England (March–June 2020), which was addressed through using technology. An internet‐mediated research (IMR) approach is used to investigate the effectiveness of using technology and translational research as strategies for disseminating a rapidly produced digital guide, for promoting play‐based learning at home, to parents. Lockdown with the closure of early years provision led to parents finding themselves isolated at home with young children. Early years educators were managing a unique set of circumstances where communication with families, including those ‘harder‐to‐reach’ was contextually problematic. Qualitative data using IMR captured online interactions by unobtrusive and obtrusive methods; unsolicited emails and social media comments and questionnaire responses. Conventional content analysis identified emerging themes of access, availability, reliability and readability. Analysis showed a combination of factors impacted on the speed and scale of sharing and downloading the digital guide. First, being digitally ready as platforms were already used by early years educators and Local Authorities. Second, the professional drive of Local Authorities and early years educators to support families during the crisis and third, the availability of an easily accessible online resource seen as valuable in improving play‐based learning at home. PRACTITIONER NOTES: There are high levels of digital readiness in the United Kingdom. Technology is one method used by early years settings to communicate with parents. Parental engagement is challenging. A translational research strategy (to share research‐informed‐knowledge with stakeholders) and internet‐mediated research (to gather data from stakeholders) combine effectively for use within the early years sector to disseminate research knowledge to parents and support home learning environments. The high levels of technology readiness of early years educators and parents in England provides opportunities for disseminating information and improving home learning environments. Accessing and sharing documents online may involve parents but is insufficient to engage. : Early years settings need to be more proactive in engaging with parents online. Technology provides opportunities to develop interaction and the sharing of information with parents. Digital media should be used as additional communication strategies and should not replace the fundamental importance of face‐to‐face‐interaction.