​​​​1. Purpose of the Pilot

The aim of this pilot is not to produce publishable data, but to refine the materials, logistics, and ethical structure of a formal research study. Specifically, it will:

• Trial delivery formats and parent engagement tools

• Observe participant variability across real-world conditions

• Collect informal outcome trends to guide future testing frameworks

• Ensure ethical practices are already embedded prior to formal submission

• Create an enjoyable, low-pressure musical experience for families that supports early listening and cognitive skills development

​

2. Participants

The pilot will include children aged 3 to 17, with no exclusion criteria. Children and teens with neurodiverse profiles, physical disabilities, and developmental differences are fully welcome. The researcher has extensive experience teaching learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, apraxia of speech, selective mutism, hearing impairments, anxiety, as well as those with more profound intellectual disabilities and physical conditions such as limb difference or amputation. 

 

The pilot will begin with 10 participants, scaling up to 50 as systems stabilise.

 

Participants will be recruited through:

• Longstanding contacts at local schools and creches

• Local MPs and community leaders

• Free community pages and grassroots networks

​​

3. Consent and Ethics Alignment

While this is not a university-sanctioned study at this stage, the pilot will operate in close alignment with formal ethical standards:

• All families will receive a plain-language Information and Agreement Form

• Participation is 100% voluntary and anonymous

• No identifying data will be collected or stored

• Participants can withdraw at any time, no reason required

Clear explanations will be provided to families that this pilot is a foundational step for a formal university research submission.

​

4. Delivery Format

The program is 100% free and home-based. Families will receive:

• Child-friendly listening videos and audio tracks in a style similar to Sesame Street

• A potential free version of the Clear Pitch app

• PDFs and email instructions for parents

• Optional group sessions (in-person or Zoom) may also be offered. Participation in these sessions is entirely optional and only available to families who have actively opted in. These sessions are observational only and will not be recorded, ensuring privacy and comfort for all involved

• ​

Activities will run 5–10 minutes per day, with flexible scheduling depending on each family’s context.

As previously introduced, the pitch training system used in this pilot is based on a model called CLEAR — Chroma-Label Encoding and Retrieval. This method pairs isolated pitches with consistent verbal labels during early auditory exposure to foster long-term pitch associations. It draws from principles in paired-associate learning, auditory imagery, early language acquisition, and developmental music psychology. The system is designed to be age-flexible, neurodiversity-inclusive, and responsive to individual progress through incremental challenges and game-based engagement.

​

The pilot will assess:

• Whether this model can be delivered effectively across a variety of home environments

• The optimal duration and frequency of exposure for different age and developmental groups

• Children’s receptivity and engagement with the materials (e.g., “fun” vs. “boring”)

• The clarity and usability of the materials from a parent perspective

• Initial signs of pitch retention, tonal memory, or melodic imitation, where present

• Any spontaneous or incidental behaviours suggesting auditory labelling or tonal categorisation

These observations will inform refinements to both the delivery model and the theoretical assumptions guiding the full research design.

​

5. Participation Timeline

To accommodate the diversity of home environments and schedules, families will be invited to select a flexible participation window at the outset—such as 1 to 5 weeks, or up to the length of one school term. This adaptable model acknowledges the varying capacities of families, allowing for meaningful engagement without imposing rigid scheduling demands.

This flexibility accounts for:

• Differences in parental availability and household routine

• Neurodevelopmental, emotional, and behavioural variability

• Socioeconomic and time-resource differences across participants

The range of participation lengths will also provide valuable insight into how duration and consistency of exposure affect early pitch recognition outcomes.

​

6. Daily Activities

Children will have the option to engage in any or all of the following activities:

• Watch short videos featuring musical and visual cues. For families limiting screen time, these can be delivered in a completely audio-based format

• Listen to musical melodies paired with note cues

• Listen to tone-label audio prompts

• Participate in simple musical “question-and-answer” games

Parents/Carers will:

• Record brief notes on which activities were completed and the approximate duration

• Note any observed behaviours (e.g., pitch recall, melodic memory, spontaneous singing)

 

As skills begin to emerge, the program will gradually increase in complexity to provide appropriate challenges for continued learning.

​

7. Data Collection

The pilot prioritises observational, anonymous data:

• Parents will describe participation and note emerging abilities

• All data will be stored privately and securely, with no third-party access

• No names or personal identifiers will be included

Where appropriate, light testing (e.g., pitch quizzes or recall games) may be introduced for participants showing skill development. Final summaries may include statements like:

“40% of participants demonstrated improved pitch recall after two weeks”

All findings will be presented in aggregate only, with no individual identifiers.

​

8. Ethical Protections

To ensure the pilot is future-ready for formal approval, the following practices are embedded:

• Information and consent documents

• Anonymous recordkeeping

• Secure storage of notes

• Explicit withdrawal rights

• Optional coded identifiers if structured data emerges

This approach creates a bridge between exploratory practice and academic research, while maintaining ethical integrity throughout.

​

9. Research Trajectory

This pilot is the preparatory phase for a formal Master’s research project in neuroscience. It is designed to:

• Shape the study design

• Build real-world feasibility

• Inform the ethics application process

• Ensure future testing is child-appropriate and inclusive

Though non-institutional at this stage, it models best practices in early-stage human research and demonstrates commitment to transparency, rigour, and community benefit.