PLAY UP: An Intervention Program Through Active Play and Environmental Affordances

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

PLAY UP: The PLAY UP intervention comprises 15 outdoor sessions (60 minutes each), delivered twice weekly by a psychomotor therapy professional, with the classroom educator providing pedagogical support. Sessions adopt a co-creation approach, actively engaging children in shaping play experiences while leveraging environmental affordances that promote movement and social interaction. Each PLAY UP session follows a structure, beginning with a warm-up (experimentation time) that allows children to move freely and explore environmental affordances through active play. The main section combines guided reflection, child-led activity choices, and collective movement exploration, with adults facilitating engagement and expanding play possibilities. Sessions conclude with a symbolization and meaning-making phase, supporting reflection on experiences and promoting meaningful learning.

Study summary

The goal of this cluster-randomized trial is to investigate how a co-created, affordance-based approach - developed in collaboration with children - and combined with educator training, can support preschool children's engagement in active play and their holistic development.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Motor competence — 2 months
  Motor competence, as an indicator of physical literacy, will be assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2; age band 1). Movement ABC consists of 3 subtests that measure three different areas: manual dexterity; aiming and catching; and balance. Raw scores obtained in each task are converted into age-standardized scores according to the norms provided in the MABC-2 manual. The MABC-2 total standardized score is derived from the manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and balance domains.

Trial sites (1)

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