Play and Learning Strategies (PALS)
Model effectiveness research report last updated: 2019
In brief
Evidence of model effectiveness
Title | General population | Tribal population | Domains with favorable effects |
---|---|---|---|
Play and Learning Strategies (PALS) Infant | Meets HHS criteria | Does not meet HHS criteria for tribal population because the model has not been evaluated with a tribal population. |
|
PALS Toddler/Preschooler | Does not meet HHS criteria because the findings from high- or moderate-rated effectiveness studies of the model do not meet all required criteria. | Does not meet HHS criteria for tribal population because the model has not been evaluated with a tribal population. |
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PALS Infant + Toddler/Preschooler | Does not meet HHS criteria because the findings from high- or moderate-rated effectiveness studies of the model do not meet all required criteria. | Does not meet HHS criteria for tribal population because the model has not been evaluated with a tribal population. |
|
Model description
Play and Learning Strategies (PALS) is designed to strengthen parent–child bonding and stimulate children’s early language, cognitive, and social development. There are two versions of the model: PALS Infant curriculum for families with children 5 to 18 months, which consists of 10 weekly sessions; and PALS Toddler/Preschooler curriculum for children 18 months through 4 years, which consists of 12 weekly sessions. Both versions are offered through 90-minute home visits conducted by a parent educator. This report also includes a review of PALS Infant + Toddler/Preschooler which refers to the combined Infant + Toddler/Preschooler curricula. Parent educators are required to receive training and certification from the model developer, the Children’s Learning Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center. The Children’s Learning Institute recommends that PALS be implemented by agencies with sustained funding mechanisms and organizational structures that can support model continuity, such as Head Start, Early Head Start, and not-for-profit early childhood agencies.
Extent of evidence
For more information, see the research database. For more information on the criteria used to rate research, please see details of HomVEE’s methods and standards.