Knox Preschool Play Scale: a scoping review

Abstract

Introduction Playing is intrinsically related to child development. Through play assessment, health professionals, including occupational therapists, can obtain information about child development. The Knox Preschool Play Scale - revised (KPPS-r) is a standardized instrument that enables the effective assessment of the skills existing in preschoolers’ play behavior. Objective To examine the national and international scientific production on the KPPS-r. Method This is a scoping review of the literature utilizing the following research databases: Scopus, Lilacs, BDENF, Embase, Cochrane, Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Dedalus, BDTD, and PROQUEST; also Scielo, Google Scholar, and Capes Articles Website. The search strategy included the descriptors “Escala Lúdica Pré-escolar de Knox” OR “Knox Preschool Play Scale”. Results 51 studies published between 1983 and 2019 involving 1816 children were identified. The associated use of over 36 assessment instruments was identified, enabling knowledge about the strengths and weaknesses of the scale. The KPPSr is a valuable and reliable instrument both in clinical practice and in research. However, the lack of a manual or guidelines for its application is a weakness of this instrument. Conclusion This scoping review qualitatively analyzed the national and international literature addressing the KPPS, identifying gaps in scientific production and generating a broad panorama of data on the use, dissemination, and availability of this instrument, in addition to presenting an outline of the studies, their methodologies, and objectives.