Pilot Factorial Trial in Malaysia

A Pilot Cluster Randomised Trial of a Hybrid Human-digital Playful Parenting Programme to Improve Positive Parenting, Learning Through Play, and Child Educational Outcomes Among Preschool Children in Malaysia

This pilot study aims to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and engagement for different combinations of three components of a human-digital hybrid playful parenting programme, "Naungan Kasih (NK) Parenting Programme", in Malaysia. The first component is ParentText, a chatbot-led parenting programme, which will be delivered to all participants. The second component is in-person sessions facilitated by trained teachers, and the third component consists of remote online WhatsApp support groups. The research aims to investigate the differential feasibility, acceptability, and engagement for NK when ParentText is delivered with a) 1 or 2 in-person sessions, and b) with remote online WhatsApp support groups (Yes/No). The combinations of Parent Text (which will be delivered to all participants) with the in-person sessions and WhatsApp support groups yields four treatment conditions:

1. ParentText + 1 in-person session
2. ParentText + 1 in-person session + WhatsApp support
3. ParentText + 2 in-person sessions
4. ParentText + 2 in-person sessions + WhatsApp support

This pilot aims to examine the feasibility of the delivery of the different combinations of intervention components, and the user-engagement for each condition, in preparation for a full factorial trial in 2024. Data from this pilot will be used to inform modifications to the programme and study methods prior to the larger factorial trial. The pilot study also aims to provide preliminary exploratory data regarding the relative effectiveness of the different versions of the programme. To answer the research questions, the investigators will track engagement data digitally, conduct pre- and post-intervention surveys and observational assessments, and carry out a series of interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders: parents, teacher-facilitators, teacher-facilitators' supervisors, and leadership members of the Ministry of Rural Development (KEMAS) in Malaysia (the government department that are responsible for 33% of preschools in Malaysia, and those which this study focuses on).

Inclusion criteria for participating parents or caregivers:

• Responsible for the child aged 4-6 years who is registered with KEMAS preschool
• Aged 18 years or more
• Lives in the same household with the child for at least four nights a month
• Have access to a mobile phone compatible with WhatsApp
• Gives consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria for participating parents or caregivers:

- Adult parents/caregivers with a severely limited mental capacity (either due to learning disability or acute mental health disorder), which will be assessed by research assistants by way of a four-item checklist.

Inclusion criteria for child respondents:

• Is enrolled in a KEMAS preschool
• Is between the ages of 4 and 6
• Parent gives consent for the child to participate in the study
• Child gives verbal assent to participate in the study

Inclusion criteria for teachers:

• Registered employee with KEMAS preschool
• 18 years old and above
• Diploma/certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or equivalent
• Give consent to participate in the study
• Participated in training of intervention package
• Available to deliver intervention package

Inclusion criteria for supervisors:

• Registered supervisor with KEMAS
• 18 years old and above
• Have a diploma/certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or equivalent
• Agree to participate in the study
• Participated in the training of the programme:
• Facilitator Training workshop: for new facilitators to deliver the programme
• Training of Trainers workshop: supervisors (who completed the facilitator training working) were trained to deliver future training to new facilitators.

Inclusion criteria for KEMAS leadership:

• Federal or state administrative staff of the Division of Early Childhood Education within KEMAS
• 18 years old and above
• Agree to participate in the study