Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
11:29
Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
9.9K
Baby Steps Text: Feasibility Study of an SMS-Based Tool for Tracking Children's Developmental Progress
Hyewon Suh1, John R Porter1, Robert Racadio1
1University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
AMIA ... Annual Symposium Proceedings. AMIA Symposium
|March 9, 2017
Summary
Baby Steps Text, an automated child development screening tool via text messages, proved feasible for families lacking internet or medical access. This convenient system effectively supports parents in monitoring their child's developmental progress.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Pediatric Health
- Health Communication
Background:
- Reaching underserved populations with health tools is challenging.
- Traditional screening methods may not reach all children.
- Innovative digital health solutions are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and implement an automated text message-based screening tool called Baby Steps Text.
- To evaluate the feasibility and usability of this tool with families.
- To assess its potential for reaching children without consistent internet or medical care.
Main Methods:
- Preliminary user research using storyboarding and prototyping.
- Development of a fully functional text message-based screening system.
- A one-month deployment study with fourteen families to assess feasibility and error rates.
Main Results:
- 13 out of 14 participants successfully learned and used the text message response structure with a low error rate (2.88%).
- Participants completed child development screeners entirely via text messages.
- Post-study surveys and interviews confirmed the tool was understandable, easy to use, convenient, and provided timely information.
Conclusions:
- Text message-based screening is a feasible approach for monitoring child development.
- Baby Steps Text can effectively reach and support parents in underserved populations.
- This tool offers a convenient and accessible method for tracking developmental milestones.
