The (Play Love And You) PLAY study is a randomized controlled trial being conducted in Soweto, South Africa. The intervention lasts from birth to 24 months, and assessments are made when the infants are 12- and 24-months of age.

Predictions have estimated that 250 million children under the age of five living in low-to-middle-income countries (43%) are at risk of not meeting their development potential.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently published guidelines for improving ECD: 1) responsive caregiving, 2) promotion of early learning, 3) integration of nutrition and caregiving interventions, and 4) supporting maternal mental health.

The Importance of Play

Infant movement behaviours have been identified as important for early childhood growth and development. Three categories of movement behaviours are of key importance: physical activity, sleep, and sedentary behaviours. Guidelines for these behaviours in the first few years of life encourage tummy time and active play, sufficient and regular sleep, and minimisation of activities that require infants to be restrained (eg: car seats, strollers, walkers). Outdoor play is particularly encouraged due to its beneficial effects on both physical activity and development. Additionally, interactive and stimulating play (such as reading, singing, and playing with other adults or children) is encouraged to promote development, and also supports early learning. Play is defined as intrinsically motivated activities done for recreational purposes and enjoyment. Play is how children learn, explore, engage in physical activity and motor development, develop socially, emotionally and cognitively, and bond with caregivers.

Hypothesis

Based on the literature, global recommendations, and formative research from South Africa, it is hypothesised that:

Using interactive play and biobehavioural feedback to support mothers in their ability to be responsive, promote early learning in the home, understand and engage with their infants health behaviours (specifically movement behaviours and feeding), as well as supporting mothers mental health, will result in better growth and developmental in their infants in the first two years of life.

Aim

The PLAY study aims to implement and test the efficacy of an intervention designed to promote infant growth and development through encouraging responsive caregiving using interactive play and biobehavioral feedback.