Faculty: Ashley Guajardo, Game Center
Collaborator: Dr. Alysse Loomis (School of Social Work, University of Utah, PI), Dr. Kristine Campbell (Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Co-PI)
Supported by the University of Utah Digital Health Initiative
Low-cost, accessible trauma-informed interventions are needed to help teachers develop and practice skills to support trauma-exposed young children in early childhood classrooms. Serious games are learning tools that use game elements and mechanics to promote knowledge, problem-solving, and skill acquisition that hold promise for TI early childhood education (ECE) professional development. This project has made a digital training device (mobile game) to train teachers how to distinguish developmentally appropriate behaviors from trauma responses. The game simulates a classroom environment with young children who will exhibit behaviors that the player needs to address while managing their energy and resources.
This project is currently in early user testing with early childhood educators in Utah. The researchers have also applied for an R21 grant to support a rollout to New York City daycares with the long term goal to provide low-to-no cost, ad hoc, and on-demand training to early childhood educators nationwide.