Bayley-4 Standardisation Project--Seeking Participants Aged 16 Days to 3.5 Years Old

We are currently seeking participants aged 16 days to 3.5 years old to participate in our research study, where local normative data is being collected across Australia and New Zealand to develop a culturally/language adapted and standardised version of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition (Bayley-4, A&NZ). Please contact our team at Bayley4@murdoch.edu.au to express your interest in volunteering your child, or for more information regarding the study.

We are currently running a research project that is being driven by Pearson Clinical and run at the Murdoch University Psychology Clinic. The research project is called The Bayley-4 Standardisation Project. Essentially, the Bayley-4 is a test of infant and toddler development that is commonly used by health care workers to identify if a child is having difficulties in certain areas.

The aim of this project is to conduct an Australian and New Zealand cultural/language adaptation and standardisation of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition (Bayley-4^A&NZ) and to collect local normative data. As the Bayley-4 was originally developed in the United States (US), adaptation and standardisation for the Australian and New Zealand population is required to maximise the clinical use and minimise cultural bias while assessing Australian and New Zealand children.

As none of the prior editions of the Bayley Scales were adapted or standardised in Australia and New Zealand, local clinicians who currently use the Bayley-III rely upon US normative data, which has led to the question of the validity and utility of the Bayley-III for Australian children. The current standardisation study will help to remedy the limitations associated with the use of the Bayley-III in Australia and New Zealand, by providing valuable information about normative performance on the Bayley-4 that is representative of Australian and New Zealand populations, and that reflects the unique geographic and cultural considerations of these countries.

We are seeking your assistance with joining this study and/or spreading the word about this study, if you or anyone you know might have a child aged between 16 days and 3.5 years old. Your/their participation in the study will mainly involve the infant/toddler being administered the Bayley-4, and the parent/caregiver being given a battery of questionnaires to complete regarding the child’s health, development and behaviours; the parent/caregiver’s well-being; the parent/caregiver’s thoughts about their child and parenthood; as well as the child’s home environment.

If you are interested to join this study, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Bayley4@murdoch.edu.au. Please also feel free to contact us should you wish to receive any further information regarding the study or the Murdoch Psychology Clinic.

Thank you.