Play-Based Training for Adverse Childhood Experiences

(PPOA Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Sacred Heart University

Disqualifiers: Not teachers, No internet access

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

12 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

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.

Research Team

Amiya Waldman-Levi, PhD

Principal Investigator

Yeshiva University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for teachers of young children who have faced adversity. It aims to help them enhance child development through play and reduce burnout. Teachers must be employed by an agency serving such children to participate.

Inclusion Criteria

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.

Exclusion Criteria

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.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Training

Participants undergo a virtual teacher training program to enhance children's development through play

5 weeks

5 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are interviewed to assess the impact of the training and provide feedback

1 week

1 interview (virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Playing Playfully to Overcome Adversity

Trial Overview The intervention being tested is a teacher training program led by occupational therapists, delivered virtually in five sessions. It focuses on promoting playfulness in the classroom and includes techniques to prevent teacher burnout.

Participant Groups

Group I: Playing Playfully to Overcome Adversity, Online Teacher Training program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

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

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Sacred Heart University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3

Recruited

340+

Yeshiva University

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

2,600+