The effect of a supportive program for developmental screening on knowledge and skills of kindergarten teachers in child developmental centers

Abstract

Purpose: to examine the effect of supportive program for developmental surveillance on knowledge and skills of daycare staff in Bangkok

Design: A quasi-experimental design.

Methods: 48 daycare staffs from 3 daycare centers in Bangkok were divided into a control group (29 persons) and an experimental group (19 person). Both group received the training and practice for developmental surveillance and promotion. After that, the experimental group received the supportive program for developmental surveillance based on House’s framework. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, early childhood developmental and surveillance knowledge questionnaire, and developmental screening test observation form. Data were analyzed by Fisher’s Exact Test and Mann Whitney U Test.

Main findings: after the program, the mean scores on DSPM skills in the experimental group were statistically significant higher than those in the control group         (Z = 2.18, p<.05), especially in the score of equipment operation and result interpretation. However, there was no statistically significant difference of the mean scores on developmental and surveillance knowledge.

Conclusion and recommendations: The supportive program for developmental surveillance should be applied to daycare centers to promote child development and early detection for high risk children with collaboration among nurses and daycare staff.

Keywords: supportive program for developmental surveillance, knowledge, skill, daycare staff, early childhood

Corresponding Author: Lecturer Udomya puntanit, Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.

¹This research project is supported by Chaina Medical Board of New Tork, Inc., Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University

²Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Bangkok , Thailand.

³Phithuksa Daycare Center, Bangkok, Thailand.