Østfold University College
Halden, Østfold fylke, 1757, Norway
Not Yet Recruiting
NCT Number: NCT06975267
Social and Emotional Learning in Norwegian Kindergarten
This project evaluates the effectiveness of the Norwegian version of Second Step Early Learning (Småsteg), a program of 28 weeks that emphasizes learning, friendship skills, and managing several strong feelings (e.g., scared, worried, surprised, frustrated, excited), not only anger, on socio-emotional learning (SEL) in kindergartens versus play is a cluster randomized controlled trial. The hypothesis states that Småsteg is superior to play only in improving children's SEL. In the study, 990 children within 66 kindergartens will be recruited and allocated following the randomization at the school level. The primary outcome is based on the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which will be answered by parents and teachers at baseline, immediately after the 28 weeks of intervention and then six months after the change to the new school (K1). The secondary outcome is empathy, assessed by the Empathy Questionnaire for Children (EmQue), a parent report-based questionnaire comprising 15 items assessing three domains: emotion contagion, attention to other's feelings, and prosocial actions.
Småsteg could impact the joint attention score, which, in turn, affects the SDQ score. A mobile application (app) will be developed to track children's behaviors via teachers, parents, and children's activities. This study contributes to the scientific understanding of how such interventions can impact SEL and future academic achievement in kindergarten-aged children but also brings insights into mechanisms throughout intervention like Småsteg in early childhood might help the development of SEL, shaping early education policies and practices.
Not Yet Recruiting
Trial opening soon.
Get NotifiedKey information
Conditions
Age range
4 year–6 year
Sex eligibility
All sexes
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Not applicable
Primary location
Who can participate
Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
- All children in the appropriate age group are eligble for inclusion in the study.
- Kindergarten with approximately 15 children or more in the age group are eligble for enrollment.
Exclusion criteria
- Kindergartens cannot have implemented the Norwegian version of Second Step Early Learning as an active intervention in their kindergarten for at least the past four years from the start of this study.
- Less than 15 participants in the kindergarten.
Treatment and study plan
Norwegian version of Second Step Early Learning
BehavioralThe interventions is a 28 weeks program divided into five themes. The themes are 1. Skills that promotes learning, 2. Empathy, 3. Managing emotions, 4. Friendship skills and problem solving, and 5. Transitioning to school.
The intervention consists of daily activities. The guidebook is a central part of the program and provides the kindergarten teachers with practical tools and activities to implement the program in everyday settings. The guidebook includes:
28 weekly themes: Each week introduces a new theme with related activities and discussion topics.
Brain-building games: Activities designed to strengthen children's cognitive skills and self-regulation.
Songs and music: Songs that reinforce the learning of social skills. Parent connections: Information sheets and activities to involve parents in their children's social-emotional development.
Puppet theatre: The use of hand puppets Dog and Snail to illustrate and discuss feelings and social situations.
Other names: Steg for Steg, Småsteg (Norwegian name)
Free play
BehavioralControl kindergartens will have additional designated playtime consisting of free play for 28 weeks. The checklist for play conditions is defined as when: Time is set aside in the daily kindergarten routine where (1) it is clearly announced or signaled to the children that it is now "free play", (2) it is an absence of requirements for sedentary sitting (unless it is part of the children's play), (3) it is not a situation where children are required to follow instructions (unless it is part of the children's play or general rules in the kindergarten (?)), (4) it is an absence of a pronounced learning outcome or goal with the activities available for the children (beyond what is defined by the children themselves), (5) the children can start and finish activities themselves, and choose what they want to participate in, and (6) adults can join in the game/initiate, but on the children's terms, and the children can choose to leave this game whenever they want.
Primary outcomes
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Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
Time frame: At baseline, after end of intervention (week 29), and after a one year follow-up.
The primary outcome is based on the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; Goodman et al., 2003), which will be answered by parents and teachers. SDQ has 25 items and covers five dimensions: emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems, and prosocial behavior.
Secondary outcomes
-
Empathy Questionnaire for Children (EmQue)
Time frame: At baseline, after end of intervention (week 29), and after a one year follow-up.
The secondary outcome is empathy, measured by parents using the Empathy Questionnaire for Children (EmQue), which comprises 15 items assessing emotion contagion, attention to others' feelings, and prosocial actions (Reiffe et al., 2010).
Other outcomes
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Standardized 1st grade tests in Norwegian and mathematics
Time frame: At the time of one year follow-up.
A distal exploratory measure of academic achievement score (last month of the first grade) in reading and math represented by the standardized assessment tests (in Norwegian called Kartleggingsprøver) developed by The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training (2024).
Study contacts
Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.
Anders Dechsling, Associate Professor
CONTACT
Hugo Cogo-Moreira, Professor
CONTACT
Sponsors and collaborators
Lead sponsor
Ostfold University College
Other
Collaborators
- Yale University
Registry information
Official study title
The Effectiveness of the Norwegian Version of Second Step Early Learning vs. Free Play on Socio-Emotional Learning in Kindergarten: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol
Important dates
- Study start
- 2025
- Primary completion
- 2028
- Study completion
- 2028
- First posted
- May 16, 2025
- Registry last updated
- Aug 8, 2025
OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.
View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.