National Children's Study (NCS) Vanguard Study Arts Module (ICPSR 39142)
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United States Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health
This is an external resource to which ICPSR links as a courtesy. These data are not available from ICPSR. Users should consult the data owners (via National Children's Study (NCS) Vanguard Study Arts Module) directly for details on obtaining these resources.
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The National Children's Study (NCS), authorized by the Children's Health Act of 2000, was a large-scale study to investigate environmental influences on child health and development. The NCS Vanguard (Pilot) Study, launched in 2009, tested methods for the larger Main Study and enrolled approximately 5,000 children across 40 locations by July 2013. The Main Study followed 100,000 children from before birth to age 21. On December 12, 2014, the NIH Director closed the study per advice from the expert review group.
The NCS Archive, created after the study's closure, offers researchers access to over 250,000 data and samples, including nearly 19,000 biological and 5,500 environmental samples from the Vanguard Study. The archive contains study visit data from preconception to 42 months post-birth, neuro-psychosocial and cognitive assessments, physical examinations, study protocols, operation manuals, data collection instruments, and more.
The NCS Archive includes various arts-related variables that were part of the study questionnaires and interviews conducted with participants and covered a range of activities and exposures. Specifically, the study captured data on children's participation in artistic activities, including music, dance, drama, and visual arts. Information was collected on the frequency and type of arts engagement, such as attending classes, participating in performances, or creating art. Examples include:
DANCE_DAYS: The average number of days per week someone dances with the child.
THEATER_DAYS: The average number of days per week someone engages in theater, play-acting, or make-believe with the child.
MUSIC_DAYS: The average number of days per week someone plays musical instruments, sings, or listens to music with the child.
DRAWPAINT_DAYS: The average number of days per week someone spends drawing or painting with the child.
ART_EVENT_DAYS: The average number of days per week someone takes the child to arts-related events outside the home.
DAYS_READ: The number of days in the past week that family members read stories to the child.
TOTAL_NUMBER_BOOKS: The total number of children's books in the home, including library books.
FREQ_BOOKS: The average number of days per week someone reads or looks at books with the child.
READ_STORIES: The number of days per week stories are read to the child.
TELL_STORIES: The number of days per week stories are told to the child.
The NCS Archive is available in NICHD's Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) for researchers to request access and conduct their own studies. For more information, researchers can consult the National Children's Study Archive: Study Description and Guide (pdf) or contact NICHD's Data and Specimen Hub at SupportDASH@mail.nih.gov.