Pilot Study to Develop the Korean Screening Index of Early Development-Parent Form

Objectives: To develop a parent-based early screening tool to identify infants and toddlers (1–5 years old) at risk for developmental disabilities, this study examined the validity and reliability of the items, focusing on ensuring the effectiveness of the tool in helping parents assess their child’s developmental progress in their home routines.Methods: First, based on a comprehensive literature review and interviews with 10 professionals with infants and toddlers, items, consisting of seven developmental domains and seven home routine categories were developed. Next, they were refined through focus group interviews with 40 parents and a Delphi survey with 15 experts. Data collected through parent ratings of 396 children were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 to assess the reliability, validity, and difficulty of the items.Results: In the data consisting of 366 preliminary items rated by parents, item difficulty ranged from 1.39 to 1.90 and internal consistency from .82 to .97. The final preliminary items of the Korean Screening Index of Early Development-Parent Form (KSIED-P) for standardization consisted of 390 items, including 371 items rated on a 3-point scale and 19 items rated on a 2-point scale.Conclusion: To develop the preliminary items of the KSIED-P, 371 items were created for seven age groups from 1 to 5 years. This tool can be used by parents for the early identification of developmental risks and to guide necessary interventions and diagnoses. The KSIED-P, along with the Early Screening Index Teacher Form, will enhance collaboration between parents and educators, facilitating timely interventions and comprehensive support for children’s developmental needs.