Introduction: Early language development is shaped by both biological and environmental factors. Parent-mediated interventions promoting shared reading and interaction can enhance the home language environment and children’s language skills. To achieve this, interventions need to facilitate behaviour change in the home environment. The intervention Språkstart Halland supports early language development through gift packs and guidance from library staff, delivered during home visits at six and eleven months and via preschools at age three. This study aims to: (1) explore experiences of Språkstart Halland among parents with a first language other than Swedish and (2) based on these results, explore the intervention’s potential to promote behaviour change using the Behaviour Change Wheel framework. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen parents; interpreters were used as needed. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. In a second step, the resulting categories were further interpreted using the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) framework. Results: Three main categories were identified: (1) ‘Greater opportunities for language learning in various languages through increased knowledge and accessible tools and strategies’; (2) ‘Valued support beyond expectations – the social context is instrumental’ and (3) ‘Seeking ways to be a parent in a new socio-cultural context’. The BCW analysis indicated that the intervention addressed all components defined in the framework to influence behaviour: motivation, capability, and opportunity. Conclusion: The intervention has potential to enhance language-stimulating activities in multilingual homes.
Dyne et al. (Mon,) studied this question.