The effectiveness of integrate unstructured play activities into school-based curriculum with mindfulness-based intervention on improving children’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing: A cluster randomized controlled trial

INTERVENTION: Unstructured /free/loose parts of play with mindfulness‐based intervention will used outdoor play materials e.g. leaves, sand, ropes, sticks, branches, water, boxes SWELE is a 12‐week program focusing on children’s physical, mental and social well‐being as they transition from preschool to kindergarten to primary school. The SWELE program consists of daily opportunity to 1) engage in self‐directed, loose parts unstructured, active play, us materials provided on the school playground (45‐60 minutes); 2) participate in a mindfulness‐based intervention with storytelling, art activities on ‘body scan’ and ‘breathing techniques’ (15 minutes). Three‐time point measures will assess child's physical health status and physical activity, emotional well‐being, social competency, and playfulness. A mental health nurse and trainers deliver mindfulness intervention sessions. The mode of mindfulness‐based intervention is story‐telling to the whole class after the unstructured play activity. Class attendance log book will be used to assess and monitor adherence of the intervention. CONDITION: Diet and Nutrition ‐ Obesity Mental Health ‐ Other mental health disorders physical inactivity ;Sedentary behaviors;anxiety ;emotional wellbeing; ; physical inactivity ; Sedentary behaviors ; anxiety ; emotional wellbeing Public Health ‐ Health promotion/education PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. Measuring kindergarten children’s physical status and physical activity level by body mass index and electric pedometer respectively,; ; ; ; ; ; [There are three time points: T0 (baseline)‐ before the implementation of SWELE program, T1 (Mid‐point) ‐ at the 6th week of the SWELE program and T2 (Post‐test)‐immediate after the 12‐week of the SWELE program completed.] 2. Measure kindergarten children’s social engagement by the Penn Interactive Peer Scale and Test of Playfulness Scale[There are three time points: T0 (baseline)‐ before the implementation of SWELE program, T1 (Mid‐point) ‐ at the 6th week of the SWELE program and T2 (Post‐test)‐immediate after the 12‐week of the SWELE program completed.] 3. Measure kindergarten children’s emotional wellbeing and anxiety level by Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale and Picture Anxiety Test respectively.[There are three time points: T0 (baseline)‐ before the implementation of SWELE program, T1 (Mid‐point) ‐ at the 6th week of the SWELE program and T2 (Post‐test)‐immediate after the 12‐week of the SWELE program completed.] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Measure kindergarten children’s happiness by the 5 Smiley Face Happiness Scale[There are three time points: T0 (baseline)‐ before the implementation of SWELE program, T1 (Mid‐point) ‐ at the 6th week of the SWELE program and T2 (Post‐test)‐immediate after the 12‐week of the SWELE program completed.] The outcome of focus group discussions among preschoolers, school teachers, school principals and parents in the intervention by conducting with a semi‐structural interview guide is to measure the acceptability of the SWELE program by the target participants and the stakeholders.[At T2 (Post‐test)‐immediate after the 12‐week of the SWELE program completed.] INCLUSION CRITERIA: The inclusion criteria for the recruitment of kindergarten children for this study are 1) children aged between 4‐7 years old studying in selected kindergartens (K2), and their school teachers, school principals and parents in the kindergarten; 2) children are free from physical impairment and cardiovascular disease based on their school medical records; and 3) children can follow instructions and understand the mindfulness teaching materials as presented by school teachers/school counsellor and parents.