The Indigenous Child Initiated Pretend Play Assessment (I-ChIPPA) Online Training Course
About
What is this assessment?
The I-ChIPPA is a culturally responsive version of the Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment 2 for Australian Aboriginal children,  being developed through consultation with communities and Elders in North West Australia.  The I-ChIPPA is for children aged 4 to 7 years 11 months, and focuses on pretend play ability. It assesses the quality, complexity and organisation of a child’s play through the elaborateness of a child’s play, the ability of a child to use objects as symbols in play and if the child can initiate their own play.Â
The I-ChIPPA can be used when there is a concern about a child’s play ability, and can be administered with pairs of children or with single children. For pairs of children, the I-ChIPPA also includes the Play Partner Scale, developed by Alma Dender. The Play Partner Scale takes into account a play partner when playing. Using the I-ChIPPA, a child’s ability to sequence play actions, use symbols in play and self-initiate play are observed. There are no norm scores in the I-ChIPPA as comparing one child to another is not culturally responsive in many communities. Rather, a description of a child’s play is made, based on observations of a child’s ability to sequence play actions, use symbols in play, self-initiate play, play with a partner, and other observations noted in the Clinical Observations form. The information gained from the I-ChIPPA can be used to inform significant adults in a child’s life on how to support a child to develop their play to more complex levels.
In Australia there are many First Nation countries and communities with Elders as custodians of knowledge and lore. In each community, what children play is influenced by their culture. The authors of this assessment, Karen Stagnitti and Alma Dender encourage users of the I-ChIPPA to defer to the Elders in their community in how this assessment should be administered and what animals should be included. The I-ChIPPA is designed so that the administration and materials are responsive to the child’s culture. They are also aware that the name of this assessment may need to be changed for use within some communities.
How is the training organised?
This training has 2 sections:
- 5 Modules for self-study (3 hours 18 minutes). After each Module there is a short quiz to complete. Participants are required to attain a minimum score of 80% in each quiz. Once 80% or more is accomplished the participant can proceed to the next Module.Â
- 10 hours of supervision sessions over Zoom (1-2 hours per session) in small groups of no more than 5 people, plus the trainer, to score and interpret videos of I-ChIPPA assessments. You will be invited to share at least one video of yourself administering an I-ChIPPA, or if this is not possible in your workplace, you will need to discuss the assessment in depth.Â
Do I need to have an I-ChIPPA Kit?
Yes, you need the I-ChIPPA Kit.Â
If you already have a ChIPPA2 kit, then you will only need to purchase the I-ChIPPA Supplement.Â
Below is more detailed information on the training.
The training has 2 components:
The 5 Modules are detailed below. You work through this content at your own pace, in your own time. You will have 6 months access to the Modules, both to work through them, and refer back to them during the supervision sessions. The total time of all recordings is approximately 3 hours 18 minutes.
The Modules take you through the Manual as well as providing further information on research underpinning the I-ChIPPA. You will require the I-ChIPPA Manual and Score Sheets with you as you work through the Modules. For some Modules there are handouts provided on the presentations.Â
There is a short quiz after each Module. For each quiz you need to attain a minimum of 80% before you can proceed to the next Module. There are 5 questions in each quiz.
Module 1
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Module 2
Administration of the I-ChIPPA
Module 3
Scoring of the I-ChIPPA
Module 4
Play Partner Scale
Module 5
Interpretation of the I-ChIPPA
Section 2: 10 hours of Live Zoom Sessions
In Section 2 you will be involved in 10 hours of supervision sessions through live Zoom meetings. In Section 2 you will be in a small group of no more than 5 people, plus the trainer. The times for the 10 hours of supervision sessions are arranged according to the availability of the group (with consideration for the time zones covered by the group), and the trainer. These sessions are usually run in one hour or two hour blocks, depending on the complexity of the child's case.Â
For this part of the training, you will be invited to provide at least one video of yourself administering an I-ChIPPA assessment. If this is not possible in your workplace, you will need to discuss the assessment in depth instead. The video will be shared by you, over Zoom, and no other person in the group will have a copy of your video recording. A consent form for parents to sign is available for download at the end of Section 2.
Learn To Play and the trainer will not have a copy of your video, nor will they store a copy. The group only views your videos during the live Zoom supervision sessions. You will have the video on your device, and share your screen so the group can score and interpret the I-ChIPPA assessment together. One I-ChIPPA video will be scored and interpreted at each 1-2 hour supervision session.
The 10 hours of scoring and interpretation practice is aimed to provide you with training on being consistent (reliable) and accurate when scoring and interpreting an I-ChIPPA assessment. After you have completed the training, you will be given a certificate to indicate you are trained in the administration, scoring and interpretation of the I-ChIPPA.
Essential Resource
Indigenous Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment:
The I-ChIPPA kit includes all the items shown in above photo, including:
- I-CHIPPA Manual – 84 pages, wire bound
- I-CHIPPA Scoring Booklet – 8 pages, saddle stitched; supplied in sets of 10 in envelope
- All play materials