About the PLAY Study
The Pennsylvania Learners Across the Years (PLAY) Study is a long-term research project that follows children and families to better understand how early learning programs and family supports make a difference in young children and families’ lives.
Led by SRI Education in partnership with Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), the PLAY Study focuses on how high-quality early childhood programs and two-generation family programming affect children’s development, family well-being, and community outcomes over time.
CHS provides non-residential, year-round weekday care and education to children from six weeks to age 5 from under-resourced and overburdened backgrounds, with all costs covered for qualifying families. The PLAY Study includes families who attend CHS and families who do not, so researchers can learn about what kinds of support matter most and for whom.
The PLAY Study is learning from children, families and educators through surveys, interviews and child assessments. We are including both families enrolled in CHS and families who are not, so that we can learn about early learning programs across central Pennsylvania. Findings from the study will help improve early learning programs and support family and community well-being.
The PLAY study will help us learn what kinds of experiences and support help children grow. This study also seeks to understand how early learning environments can benefit families and communities, guiding programs and policies to make sure children.
Examine Effects of CHS on Families and Children
– Children’s development over time
– Family stress, economic stability, and mental health
Understand Implementation of CHS
– Whether the program is implemented as intended
– What does the experience of implementation look like for staff?
– Which program components are most important for families and children
Understand Effects of CHS on Communities
- How the effects of CHS ripple outward to the broader community and PA
Children participate in game-like direct assessments. Children will be guided through activities and asked to answer questions or complete tasks.
Families complete surveys about their children and families.
Teachers complete surveys about the children in their classrooms.
