Playing Playfully to Overcome Adversity

NCT06985017 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 210413A
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This research project was developed in an effort to support teachers of young children exposed to adversity and to assist them with enhancing children's development through play. The project utilizes an occupational therapist-led teacher training program manual and an accompanying fidelity checklist. This training is provided via virtual group sessions (Telehealth) and consists of five 45-minute-long sessions addressing ways to promote children's play and playfulness in the classroom and techniques to reduce teacher/caregiver burnout. The training was facilitated via Zoom with eleven teachers employed by an agency serving children exposed to adversity. The fidelity raters scored the fidelity checklist while reviewing video recordings of the training sessions. Participants responded to a Background Questionnaire via Qualtrics and were interviewed before and after the training. The interview data was used to analyze the impact of the training.

Conditions

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Keywords

Childhood adversity, teacher training, play, playfulness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Parent/Caregiver's View of Supporting Children's Play and Playfulness

  The questionnaire assesses parent or caregiver perception of their support of child's playfulness. It consists of 11 items scored on 3-point scale ranging from 0 (do not agree) to 2 (strongly agree).

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

• Teacher Perception of Play in the Classroom Survey

  The Teacher Perception of Play in the Classroom Survey assesses teachers' confidence in incorporating play and/or playful attitude into the classroom environment. It consists of 14 statements on a 3-point scale ranging from 1 (not true) to 3 (certainly true).

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Open-ended pre-program questions

  At enrollment

• Post-Training Participant Interview

  After 6 weeks

Study Arms (1)

Playing Playfully to Overcome Adversity, Online Teacher Training program

EXPERIMENTAL

Forty five minute-long group training sessions conducted by one of the PI-s via Zoom, once a week over five weeks.

Behavioral: Playing Playfully to Overcome Adversity

Interventions

Playing Playfully to Overcome Adversity BEHAVIORAL

This training is provided via virtual group sessions (Telehealth) and consists of five 45-minute-long weekly sessions addressing ways to promote children's play and playfulness in the classroom and techniques to reduce teacher/caregiver burnout.

Playing Playfully to Overcome Adversity, Online Teacher Training program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Teachers and teacher assistants employed by agencies serving young children exposed to adversity who have access to a device with reliable high-speed internet, camera, and Zoom capacity.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals who are not teachers or teacher assistants employed by agencies serving young children exposed to adversity or who do not have access to a device with reliable high-speed internet, camera, and Zoom capacity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sacred Heart University: lead
• Yeshiva University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, Connecticut, 06825, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Halperin L, Waldman-Levi A. Playing Playfully to Overcome Adversity: A Telehealth-Based Group Teacher Training Program. OTJR (Thorofare N J). 2023 Jul;43(3):381-389. doi: 10.1177/15394492231151882. Epub 2023 Feb 7.

  PMID: 36748710 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Amiya Waldman-Levi, PhD

  Yeshiva University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: The training program used in this study aims to equip teachers serving children exposed to adversity with the knowledge and skills pertaining to using play and playfulness as vehicles to foster children's growth. NO DRUGS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS STUDY.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 12, 2025
• First Posted: May 22, 2025
• Study Start: March 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: May 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)