Cognitive, emotional, and social stimulation program for preschool children

Japi: Cognitive, Emotional and Social Stimulation for Preschool Children

This study is testing a program that uses fun activities, like video games, to help preschool children in vulnerable schools in Santiago, Chile, improve their behavior and mental health after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 3 Years to 5 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Universidad de los Andes, Chile (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06420544 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This program aims to address behavioral problems in preschool children by providing cognitive, emotional, and social stimulation through interactive activities, including video games. The intervention targets schools in Santiago, Chile, particularly those with high vulnerability, to support children facing psychological challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing on enhancing executive functions and non-cognitive skills, the program seeks to improve overall mental health outcomes for young children. The study will involve schools and children meeting specific eligibility criteria to ensure effective implementation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are preschool children attending mixed-sex schools in Santiago, Chile, particularly those from high-vulnerability backgrounds.

Not a fit: Children with intellectual disabilities or those unable to understand and speak Spanish may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve the mental health and behavioral outcomes of preschool children in vulnerable communities.

How similar studies have performed: While there is evidence of increased behavioral problems in children during the pandemic, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in similar contexts.

Eligibility criteria

For schools:

Inclusion criteria:

1. Schools located in Santiago (Chile).
2. Schools with Preschool Education.
3. Mixed-sex schools.
4. Schools with vulnerability (≥75%), measured with the School Vulnerability Index - National System of Equality Allocation (IVE-SINAE). This index is the proportion of students in a given school with high vulnerability. This index considers the following socioeconomic variables to group the schools: mother's educational level, father's educational level, and total monthly household income, among others.

Exclusion criteria:

1. Three or more classes in Preschool. This criterion was considered for economic and practical reasons.
2. Implementing a manualized program to promote cognitive or social-emotional skills.
3. Participating in a similar study.

For students:

Inclusion criteria:

1\) Children attending pre-kindergarten

Exclusion criteria:

1. Children with intellectual disability
2. Children unable to understand and speak Spanish

Where this trial is running

Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan and 1 other locations

• Universidad de los Andes — Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile (Recruiting)
• Universidad de los Andes — Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jorge Gaete, MD, PhD — Universidad de Los Andes
• Study coordinator: Jorge Gaete, MD, PhD

Conditions Behavioral Problem of Child; Executive Functions; Behavioral Problem; Children; Videogame; Non-cognitive skills; Cognitive skills