Evaluation of the First Pathways Game on Parent-child Interactions and Development for Vulnerable Children

Summary

Children's brains develop quickly in the first three years of life and are particularly sensitive to their environment. Adverse experiences, such as exposure to abuse and neglect, can increase children's risk for behavioral, mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety), and developmental struggles. Fortunately, supportive, nurturing parents can help protect children from these poor health and developmental outcomes. In-person parenting programs have been shown to improve parents' interactions with their children. However, many parents struggle to access these programs due to competing life demands and accessibility barriers (e.g., lack of transportation and childcare). The First Pathways Game is a free, online tool that was created by an expert in brain development to provide parents with games and activities for playtime with their child, based on their child's age. The investigators plan to study the impact of the First Pathways Game on parent-child interactions and development of children aged 3-36 months. The investigators will recruit families in Calgary that are experiencing adversity, such as poverty and homelessness. Parent-child pairs will be randomly assigned to the (1) First Pathways group that is reminded to play the First Pathways Game daily for a month or (2) wait-list control group, to allow for comparisons. Before, immediately after, and 2 months after the month-long program, the investigators will collect information on parent-child interactions and children's development with reliable and valid tools to examine the effectiveness of the First Pathways Game. This free, online tool has the potential to empower parents in supporting their children's health and development and could be ideal for families experiencing vulnerability, due to its accessibility. If found effective, this tool could improve both short- and long-term health outcomes for children with experiences of adversity.

Conditions

• Internet-Based Intervention

Interventions

OTHER

First Pathways Game

The First Pathways Game is a free, online parenting education program. Parents watch short videos (approximately 30 seconds) on the First Pathways Game website to receive neuroscience knowledge and ideas for age-appropriate game ideas to play with their child. The game ideas employ common household items, such as measuring cups and paper.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Calgary

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jelena Komanchuk, BN · University of Calgary

• Nicole Letourneau, PhD · University of Calgary

• Judy L Cameron, PhD · University of Calgary

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

3 Months

Max Age

36 Months

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-06-22

Primary Completion

2022-03-09

Completion

2022-03-09

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations