Increasing Intrinsic Motivation to Hand Wash: A Play and Laughter Methodology for Displaced Refugee Children

Abstract

Handwashing with soap is largely recognised as a key cost-effective tool to reducing infectious diseases. Research into behaviour change interventions have largely focused on children in school-based settings. Meanwhile, information on interventions targeting children in humanitarian crises settings is scarce. Previous studies on behaviour change interventions with children have principally focused on health-based messaging, which is often not a motivator of behaviour change. In order to understand how children are motivated to hand wash, it is important to understand what motivates children. Play is considered to be a motivator of behaviour change. Thus, this research investigates the use of Clowns without Border’s play-based learning methodology to increase intrinsic motivation from a Self-Determination Theory perspective. The results highlight three main mechanisms to play-based learning that increases children’s intrinsic motivation: knowledge and understanding, psychosocial health and peer-to-peer learning. These mechanisms are discussed in relation to Self-Determination Theory, and the implications that a play-based learning methodology has for practice in the WASH sector.