A Pilot Study of Teacher-Child Interaction Training - Universal in Head Start

NCT04075071 | Terminated

• 2 other identifiers: 19-016084IRB 19-016084
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study aims to implement and evaluate Teacher-Child Interaction Training - Universal (TCIT-U), an empirically-supported classroom-based intervention aimed at improving child behavior and social-emotional skills through strengthening teacher-child relationships at a preschool that serves children from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are at risk for behavioral health difficulties. The main objectives are to (a) examine TCIT-U's effects on teacher behavior, teachers' sense of efficacy, and child behavior problems and social-emotional skills compared to usual care (UC) and (b) explore the feasibility and acceptability of implementing TCIT-U at a diverse urban preschool.

Conditions

Child Behavior; Child Development; Child Behavior Problem

Keywords

Teacher-Child Interaction Training; teacher-child relationships; child behavior; child social-emotional skills; preschool; teaching self-efficacy; teacher behavior

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Changes in Teacher-Child Interaction Coding System (TCICS)

  Teachers' use and maintenance of skills taught in TCIT-U will be measured using the Teacher-Child Interaction Coding System (TCICS; Budd \& Stern, 2019), an observational coding system that has been used in prior TCIT-U projects and was adapted from the coding system used in PCIT (Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System, 4th edition; Eyberg, Chase, Fernandez, \& Nelson, 2014). RAs, blind to study condition, will tally teachers' verbalizations (Labeled Praises, Reflections, Descriptions, Questions, Commands, and Negative Talk) during 5-minute intervals which will be conducted three times at each data collection time-point (baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up).

  Week 1, Week 6-8, Week 12, and Month 10

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES)

  Week 1, Week 12, and Month 10

• Devereux Early Childhood Assessment for Preschoolers, 2nd Edition (DECA-P2)

  Week 1, Week 12, and Month 10

Study Arms (2)

TCIT-U

EXPERIMENTAL

Four teachers from two Head Start classrooms will be assigned to Teacher-Child Interaction Training - Universal (TCIT-U). TCIT-U occurs in two phases (6 weeks per phase): Child-Directed Interaction (CDI; focusing on relationship building) and Teacher-Directed Interaction (TDI; focusing on managing behavior problems). The TCIT-U Trainer (a licensed clinical child psychologist) will provide teachers with group didactic sessions (6 hours per phase) and individualized live coaching in their classrooms (20 minutes, once per week). Strategies include the use of PRIDE skills (Praise, Reflection, Imitation, Behavior Description, and Enthusiasm) or specific verbalizations that promote warm, responsive interactions, as well as classroom-appropriate behavior modification strategies which include using effective commands, prompts, natural consequences, differential social attention, and a modified time-out appropriate for use in a classroom.

Behavioral: Teacher-Child Interaction Training - Universal

Usual Care

NO INTERVENTION

Four teachers from 2 PreK Counts classrooms will be assigned to the Usual Care (UC) group. They will continue their existing behavioral management strategies and techniques. Teachers will report on specific training in and use of other behavior management and social-emotional learning programs at baseline. At the conclusion of the study, UC teachers and staff will be offered didactic training in TCIT-U principles and strategies.

Interventions

Teacher-Child Interaction Training - Universal BEHAVIORAL

Teacher-Child Interaction Training - Universal (TCIT-U) is an empirically-supported classroom-based intervention designed to strengthen teacher-child relationships, reduce and prevent child behavior problems, and promote social-emotional skills. TCIT-U is based in behavioral and attachment principles and was developed as a modification of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based treatment with well-established support for decreasing disruptive child behaviors and parental stress with children ages two to seven years old. In TCIT-U, teachers of children, preschool through second grade, are taught and coached in skills to manage challenging classroom behaviors and improve the quality of relationships. TCIT-U is delivered to teachers through group didactic training and live individualized coaching.

TCIT-U

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 3 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Serve as a head, co-, and/or assistant teacher in a Head Start or PreK Counts classroom at the participating early childhood education center.
• Speak and read English proficiently.
• Provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Enrolled in one of the participating Head Start or PreK Counts classrooms prior to baseline evaluations.
• Aged 3 through 5 years old.
• Provided an informational letter about the study to their parents.
• Participated in or observed TCIT-U training and/or serve as a classroom-based (e.g., assistant, behavioral specialist) or administrative (e.g., center director) staff for the classrooms participating in TCIT-U.
• Speak and read English proficiently.
• Provide written informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: lead
• PNC Foundation: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Child Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Rebecca M Kanine, PhD

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 13, 2019
• First Posted: August 30, 2019
• Study Start: September 12, 2019
• Primary Completion: February 5, 2020
• Study Completion: May 19, 2020
• Last Updated: August 31, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)