ESCAPE: a mixed-methods pilot study of a movement-based learning circuit for earthquake safety education in kindergarten

A pilot study in Indonesia examined the effectiveness of ESCAPE, a movement-based learning circuit for earthquake safety education among kindergarten children. The study, involving 45 children aged 5-6, showed a significant increase in task completion scores related to earthquake safety from initial to final observations. Qualitative data also included teacher and parent perspectives, indicating positive reception and suggesting the method's potential for improving early childhood disaster preparedness.

Why it matters

This research highlights an effective, developmentally appropriate method for disaster preparedness education in early childhood. Implementing such programs can build foundational safety knowledge and responses, reducing potential casualties and improving community resilience in earthquake-prone regions.

Key insights

• The ESCAPE program significantly improved earthquake safety task completion scores among kindergarten children, with the median increasing from 4 to 8 out of 8.
• A mean within-child increase of 2.98 tasks was observed, demonstrating improved individual learning outcomes.
• The study was conducted as a mixed-methods pilot in three kindergartens in Pekanbaru, Indonesia, with 45 children aged 5-6 years.
• Teacher and parent perspectives were collected qualitatively, though specific findings from these perspectives are not detailed in the summary.
• One participant's data could not be fully verified, leading to a primary analysis based on 44 children.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1843569