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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
200
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 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.
Gabriela Almeida
Evora, Évora District, Portugal
physical literacy (motor competence)
Children's physical literacy will be assessed using Movement Assessment Battery for Children and interviews. Movement ABC consists of 3 subtests that measure three different areas: Manual dexterity; Aiming and grasping; and Balance. Assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (total standardized score derived from manual dexterity, aiming and grasping, and balance).
Time frame: 2 months
Physical literacy (affective/experiential domain)
Photo Elicitation Interviews will be conducted in small groups to ask children enjoyable experiences, appreciation, and connection to the environment, in relation to movement, play and physical activity.
Time frame: 2 months
Social-emotional competencies (parent-reported)
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a 25- item psychosocial questionnaire completed by parents, assesses strengths, difficulties, and behavioral indicators of potential mental health issues. The SDQ total difficulties score will be used, with higher scores indicating greater behavioral difficulties.
Time frame: 2 months
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Competences (educator-reported)
Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scale (PKBS), completed by preschool educators, evaluates children's social-emotional skills and behavior problems during free play with their peers. The PKBS Social Skills total score will be used, with higher scores indicating better social-emotional competence.
Time frame: 2 months
Executive Functioning
Key executive functions inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory will be assessed using the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders (HTKS) task. Task performance also relies on the child's sustained attention. A single composite score will be calculated combining inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. A higher score reflects a better executive functioning.
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Time frame: 2 months
Physical Activity
Children's Physical Activity (PA) will be measured by accelerometry. Data collection will occur over one-week (on weekdays), during which children will wear accelerometer during the data collection recess. Data were normalized according to the daily hours/minutes of accelerometer use. The following cut-points were applied to classify PA intensity: sedentary (≤ 100 counts·min-¹), light (101 - 2240 counts·min-¹), moderate (2241 - 3840 counts·min-¹), and vigorous (≥ 3841 counts·min-¹) activity. The PA outcome will be minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) derived from accelerometry. Sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous activity categories are used for classification purposes.
Time frame: 2 months
Positional Interactions
Real-time spatial positioning will be continuously tracked over \~30min (during recess) using high-resolution sensor technology, capturing detailed movement trajectories and social positioning in the playground environment. Outcomes will include mean inter-child distance and frequency of proximity interactions during recess.
Time frame: 2 months