Effectiveness of a play-integrated primary one preparatory programme to enhance a smooth transition for children

• Published in: Journal of health psychology Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 10 - 25
• Main Authors: Li, William HC, Mak, Yim Wah, Chan, Sophia SC, Chu, Avis KY, Lee, Elmond YMak, Lam, TH
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2013; Sage Publications
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Child Development; Child psychology; Child, Preschool; Children; Developmental psychology; Education; Female; Happiness; Humans; Kindergartens; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Parents; Personal Satisfaction; Play and Playthings - psychology; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Quantitative analysis; Randomized controlled trials; Stress, Psychological - prevention & control; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teachers; Young Adult; community health psychology; education; children; psychological distress; quantitative methods; Human; Methodology; Psychological distress; Medical psychology; Community health; Child; Public health; Quantitative analysis; Community psychology
• ISSN: 1359-1053; 1461-7277
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105311434052

This study tested the effectiveness of a play-integrated preparatory programme to enhance a smooth transition for children from kindergarten to primary one. A randomized controlled trial was employed and 142 families were recruited. Children in the experimental group experienced greater happiness, fewer worries and lesser difficulty in psychological adjustment than children in the control group, providing evidence that the play-integrated preparatory programme is effective in enhancing a smooth transition for children. Findings from this study promote the awareness in parents and teachers that play is an important part of children’s lives, which is essential for their normal growth and development.