Incredible Years® – Toddler Basic Program
The Incredible Years – Toddler Basic Program (“IY-Toddlers”) is a group-based program designed for parents with toddlers (1 to 3 years). The program typically targets higher risk parents who need support forming secure attachments with their toddlers or addressing their toddlers’ behavior problems. It also helps parents create secure and safe environments for children, establish routines, use appropriate discipline, and reduce behavior problems.
IY-Toddlers focuses on 8 developmentally appropriate topics during the sessions: (1) child-directed play, (2) promoting toddler’s language, (3) social and emotion coaching, (4) praise and encouragement, (5) incentives, (6) separations and reunions, (7) limit setting, and (8) handling misbehavior.
During each group session, parents watch 8 to 10 situational video vignettes. They engage in discussions facilitated by the group leaders and problem solve about best parenting practices. Parents are also encouraged to complete activities at home to apply the skills they learned with the group.
IY-Toddlers is rated as a promising practice because at least one study achieved a rating of moderate or high on study design and execution and demonstrated a favorable effect on a target outcome.
Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Aug 2020
Sources
The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information was informed by the following sources: the program or service developer’s website, the program or service manual, and the studies reviewed.
This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the download the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 1.0
Target Population
IY-Toddlers is designed for parents with toddlers (1 to 3 years). The program typically targets higher risk parents who need support forming secure attachments with their toddlers or addressing their toddlers’ behavior problems.
Dosage
Parents typically receive 12 to 13 weekly group sessions of IY-Toddlers. Each group session lasts about 2 hours.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
The IY-Toddlers program is typically delivered in a community setting.
Location/Delivery Settings Observed in the Research
- Childcare Center
Education, Certifications and Training
Incredible Years® offers a three-day in-person training for IY-Toddlers group leaders. The training is highly recommended for all group leaders and is required for group leaders who plan to become certified. It is recommended that at least one of the two leaders working with a group has a master’s degree or comparable education/background. Group leaders who have attended IY-Toddlers training can become certified by demonstrating positive participant evaluations, positive trainer/mentor evaluations of videotape review, positive peer review, and satisfactory completion of session protocols. Group leaders come from a variety of backgrounds, including social work, psychology, nursing, medicine or education. Additionally, they should have taken at least one course in child development or social learning theory.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
IY-Toddlers uses the Incredible Years Parents, Teachers and Children’s Training Series group leader manual. It is implemented in conjunction with the Curriculum Set below that is specific to the IY-Toddlers program.
Webster-Stratton, C. (2011). Incredible Years parents, teachers and children’s training series: Program content, methods, research, and dissemination, 1980 – 2011. Incredible Years, Inc.
Incredible Years, Inc. (2019). Toddler basic curriculum set.
Available languages
Materials for IY-Toddlers are available in English, Danish, and Spanish.
Other supporting materials
For More Information
Website: http://www.incredibleyears.com/
Phone: (206) 285-7565
Email: incredibleyears@incredibleyears.com
Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
| Results of Search and Review | Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Incredible Years® – Toddler Basic Program |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 28 |
| Eligible for Review | 3 |
| Rated High | 0 |
| Rated Moderate | 1 |
| Rated Low | 2 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |
| Outcome | Effect Size
 and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices |
0.33
12 |
1 (4) | 67 |
Favorable:
1 No Effect: 3 Unfavorable: 0 |
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group.
| Outcome | Effect Size
and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
Months after treatment when outcome measured
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices |
0.33
12 |
1 (4) | 67 |
Favorable:
1 No Effect: 3 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10665 - IYPTP vs. Waitlist Control (Gridley, 2015) | |||||
| Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System: Quantity and Variety of Language |
0.12
4 |
- | 67 | - | 3 |
| Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System: Encouraging Language |
0.52
19 |
- | 67 | - | 3 |
| Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System: Child-led Language |
0.54
*
20 |
- | 67 | - | 3 |
| Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System: Parent-led Language |
0.14
5 |
- | 67 | - | 3 |
*p <.05
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group. Effect sizes and implied percentile effects were calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse as described in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Section 5.10.4 and may not align with effect sizes reported in individual publications.
Only publications with eligible contrasts that met design and execution standards are included in the individual study findings table.
Full citations for the studies shown in the table are available in the "Studies Reviewed" section.
The participant characteristics display is an initial version. We encourage those interested in providing feedback to send suggestions to preventionservices@abtglobal.com.
The table below displays locations, the year, and participant demographics for studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Participant characteristics for studies with more than one intervention versus comparison group pair that received moderate or high ratings are shown separately in the table. Please note, the information presented here uses terminology directly from the study documents, when available. Studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution that did not include relevant participant demographic information would not be represented in this table.
For more information on how Clearinghouse reviewers record the information in the table, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
| Characteristics of the Participants in the Studies with Moderate or High Ratings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Study Location
|
Study Year
|
Age or Grade-level
|
Race, Ethnicity, Nationality
|
Gender
|
Populations of Interest*
|
Household Socioeconomic Status
|
| Study 10665 - IYPTP vs. Waitlist Control | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| North, Mid and South, Wales | -- | Average age: 21 months | -- |
58% Male 42% Female |
-- | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| North, Mid and South, Wales | -- | Average age: 29 years | -- |
98% Female 2% Male |
100% Parents/caregivers; 25% Single parent |
-- |
“--” indicates information not reported in the study.
* The information about disabilities is based on initial coding. For more information on how the Clearinghouse recorded disability information for the initial release, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings. The Clearinghouse is currently seeking consultation from experts, including those with lived experience, and input from the public to enhance and improve the display.
Note: Citations for the documents associated with each 5-digit study number shown in the table can be found in the “Studies Reviewed” section below. Study settings and participant demographics are recorded for all studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Studies that did not report any information about setting or participant demographics are not displayed. For more information on how participant characteristics are recorded, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
Studies Rated Moderate
Study 10665Gridley, N., Hutchings, J., & Baker-Henningham, H. (2015). The Incredible Years Parent-Toddler Programme and parental language: a randomised controlled trial. Child: Care, Health and Development, 41(1), 103-111. doi:10.1111/cch.12153
Hutchings, J., Griffith, N., Bywater, T., & Williams, M. E. (2017). Evaluating the Incredible Years Toddler Parenting Programme with parents of toddlers in disadvantaged (Flying Start) areas of Wales. Child: Care, Health and Development, 43(1), 104-113. doi:10.1111/cch.12415
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2)Studies Rated Low
Study 10667Gross, D., Fodd, L., Webster-Stratton, C., Garvey, C., Julion, W., & Grady, J. (2003). Parent training of toddlers in day care in low-income urban communities. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71(2), 261-278. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.71.2.261
This study received a low rating because baseline equivalence of the intervention and comparison groups was necessary and not demonstrated.Study 10666
Gross, D., Fogg, L., & Tucker, S. (1995). The efficacy of parent training for promoting positive parent-toddler relationships. Research in Nursing & Health, 18(6), 489-499.
This study received a low rating because it did not meet design confound standards.Studies Not Eligible for Review
Study 10653
Axberg, U., & Broberg, A. G. (2012). Evaluation of "The Incredible Years" in Sweden: The transferability of an American parent-training program to Sweden. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 53(3), 224-232. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2012.00955.x
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10656
Boyd, R. C., Gerdes, M., Rothman, B., Dougherty, S. L., Localio, R., & Guevara, J. P. (2017). A toddler parenting intervention in primary care for caregivers with depression symptoms. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 38(5), 465-480. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-017-0481-8
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10658
Chhangur, R. R., Weeland, J., Overbeek, G., Matthys, W., Castro, B., Giessen, D., & Belsky, J. (2017). Genetic moderation of intervention efficacy: Dopaminergic genes, The Incredible Years, and externalizing behavior in children. Child Development, 88(3), 796-811. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12612
Chhangur, R. R., Weeland, J., Overbeek, G., Matthys, W., & Orobio de Castro, B. (2012). ORCHIDS: An observational randomized controlled trial on childhood differential susceptibility. BMC Public Health, 12, 917-917. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-917
Overbeek, G. (2017). Parenting intervention effects on children’s externalizing behavior: The moderating role of genotype and temperament. Current Opinion in Psychology, 15, 143-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.02.025
van Aar, J., Leijten, P., Orobio de Castro, B., Weeland, J., Matthys, W., Chhangur, R., & Overbeek, G. (2019). Families who benefit and families who do not: Integrating person- and variable-centered analyses of parenting intervention responses. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 58(10), 993-1003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2019.02.004
Weeland, J., Chhangur, R. R., van der Giessen, D., Matthys, W., Orobio de Castro, B., & Overbeek, G. (2017). Intervention effectiveness of The Incredible Years: New insights into sociodemographic and intervention-based moderators. Behavior Therapy, 48(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2016.08.002
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10659
Dionne, R., Davis, B., Sheeber, L., & Madrigal, L. (2009). Initial evaluation of a cultural approach to implementation of evidence-based parenting interventions in American Indian communities. Journal of Community Psychology, 37(7), 911-921. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20336
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10660
Drugli, M. B., Fossum, S., Larsson, B., & Morch, W. T. (2010). Characteristics of young children with persistent conduct problems 1 year after treatment with the Incredible Years program. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 19(7), 559-565. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0083-y
Drugli, M. B., Larsson, B., & Clifford, G. (2007). Changes in social competence in young children treated because of conduct problems as viewed by multiple informants. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 16(6), 370-378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-007-0609-0
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10663
Gardner, F., Burton, J., & Klimes, I. (2006). Randomised controlled trial of a parenting intervention in the voluntary sector for reducing child conduct problems: Outcomes and mechanisms of change. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47(11), 1123-1132. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01668.x
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10668
Herman, K. C., Borden, L. A., Reinke, W. M., & Webster-Stratton, C. (2011). The impact of the Incredible Years parent, child, and teacher training programs on children's co-occurring internalizing symptoms. School Psychology Quarterly, 26(3), 189-201. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025228
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10669
Homem, T. C., Gaspar, M. F., Seabra-Santos, M. J., Canavarro, M. C., & Azevedo, A. (2014). A pilot study with the Incredible Years Parenting Training: Does it work for fathers of preschoolers with oppositional behavior symptoms? Fathering, 12(3), 262-282. http://dx.doi.org/10.3149/fth.1203.262.
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10670
Hughes, J. R., & Gottlieb, L. N. (2004). The effects of the Webster-Stratton parenting program on maltreating families: Fostering strengths. Child Abuse & Neglect, 28(10), 1081-1097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2004.02.004
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10678
Kim, E., Cain, K. C., & Webster-Stratton, C. (2008). The preliminary effect of a parenting program for Korean American mothers: A randomized controlled experimental study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 45(9), 1261-1273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2007.10.002
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10681
Larsson, B., Fossum, S., Clifford, G., Drugli, M. B., Handegård, B. H., & Mørch, W.-T. (2009). Treatment of oppositional defiant and conduct problems in young Norwegian children: Results of a randomized controlled trial. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 18(1), 42-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0702-z
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10684
Leijten, P., Melendez-Torres, G. J., Knerr, W., & Gardner, F. (2016). Transported versus homegrown parenting interventions for reducing disruptive child behavior: A multilevel meta-regression study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 55(7), 610-617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2016.05.003
Leijten, P., Raaijmakers, M. A. J., Orobio de Castro, B., van den Ban, E., & Matthys, W. (2017). Effectiveness of the Incredible Years parenting program for families with socioeconomically disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 46(1), 59-73. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2015.1038823
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10687
Linares, L. O., Montalto, D., Li, M., & Oza, V. S. (2006). A promising parenting intervention in foster care. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(1), 32-41. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.74.1.32
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10689
McGilloway, S., Mhaille, G. N., Bywater, T., Furlong, M., Leckey, Y., Kelly, P., Comiskey, C., & Donnelly, M. (2012). A parenting intervention for childhood behavioral problems: A randomized controlled trial in disadvantaged community-based settings. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80(1), 116-127. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026304
McGilloway, S., NiMhaille, G., Bywater, T., Leckey, Y., Kelly, P., Furlong, M., Comiskey, C., O’Neill, D., & Donnelly, M. (2014). Reducing child conduct disordered behaviour and improving parent mental health in disadvantaged families: A 12-month follow-up and cost analysis of a parenting intervention. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 23(9), 783-794. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-013-0499-2
O'Neill, D., McGilloway, S., Donnelly, M., Bywater, T., & Kelly, P. (2013). A cost-effectiveness analysis of the Incredible Years parenting programme in reducing childhood health inequalities. The European Journal of Health Economics, 14(1), 85-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-011-0342-y
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10692
Menting, A. T. A., de Castro, B. O., Wijngaards-de Meij, L. D. N. V., & Matthys, W. (2014). A trial of parent training for mothers being released from incarceration and their children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 43(3), 381-396. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2013.817310
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10697
Patterson, J., Barlow, J., Mockford, C., Klimes, I., Pyper, C., & Stewart-Brown, S. (2002). Improving mental health through parenting programmes: Block randomised controlled trial. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 87(6), 472-477. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136%2Fadc.87.6.472
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10698
Perrin, E. C., Sheldrick, R. C., McMenamy, J. M., Henson, B. S., & Carter, A. S. (2014). Improving parenting skills for families of young children in pediatric settings: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatrics, 168(1), 16-24. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.2919
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10701
Reedtz, C., Handegård, B. H., & Mørch, W. T. (2011). Promoting positive parenting practices in primary pare: Outcomes and mechanisms of change in a randomized controlled risk reduction trial. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 52(2), 131-137. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2010.00854.x
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10704
Sampaio, F., Enebrink, P., Mihalopoulos, C., & Feldman, I. (2016). Cost-effectiveness of four parenting programs and bibliotherapy for parents of children with conduct problems. Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics, 19(4), 201-212.
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10706
Scott, S., & O'Connor, T. G. (2012). An experimental test of differential susceptibility to parenting among emotionally-dysregulated children in a randomized controlled trial for oppositional behavior. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53(11), 1184-1193. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02586.x
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10709
Silva, I. S., & da Fonseca Gaspar, M. F. (2014). Supporting Portuguese residential child care staff: An exploratory study with the Incredible Years Basic Parent Programme. Psychosocial Intervention, 23(1), 33-41. https://doi.org/10.5093/in2014a4
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10711
Stattin, H., Enebrink, P., Özdemir, M., & Giannotta, F. (2015). A national evaluation of parenting programs in Sweden: The short-term effects using an RCT effectiveness design. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83(6), 1069-1084. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039328
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10712
Stewart-Brown, S., Patterson, J., Mockford, C., Barlow, J., Klimes, I., & Pyper, C. (2004). Impact of a general practice based group parenting programme: quantitative and qualitative results from a controlled trial at 12 months. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 89(6), 519-525. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2004.00456_5.x
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10713
Taylor, T. K., Schmidt, F., Pepler, D., & Hodgins, C. (1998). A comparison of eclectic treatment with Webster-Stratton's parents and children series in a children's mental health center: A randomized controlled trial. Behavior Therapy, 29(2), 221-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(98)80004-X
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10716
Webster-Stratton, C., & Herman, K. C. (2008). The impact of parent behavior-management training on child depressive symptoms. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 55(4), 473-484. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013664
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).