Play Nicely Program in the prevention of violence against children: strengthening sustainable development.

OBJECTIVE

to understand the perception of teachers and health professionals regarding the use of the Play Nicely Program for parents/caregivers in the prevention of violence against children.

METHOD

a descriptive and exploratory qualitative study was conducted through three focus groups with twenty primary school teachers and primary health care professionals who implemented the Program for parents/caregivers in 2022. The data analysis was guided by French discourse analysis, interpreted through the lens of Urie Bronfenbrenner's theory.

RESULTS

three categories emerged from the participants' perceptions: innovation and utility; theory applicability in practice; reinterpreting attitudes of austerity and impatience towards children; disciplining rather than punishing children: dilemmas and challenges. The testimonies highlighted that the Program is innovative, easily accessible, clear in language, and easy to apply in practice for parents/caregivers.

CONCLUSION

the use of the Program added knowledge and fostered positive attitudes toward the development of the bioecological system in addressing and preventing violence against children.