Access to Play for Children in Situations of Crisis: Synthesis of Research in Six Countries

Abstract

 2018 Children, Youth and Environments Children, Youth and Environments 28(1), 2018 Book Reviews Access to Play for Children in Situations of Crisis: Synthesis of Research in Six Countries Sudeshna Chatterjee (2017) International Play Association, 51 pages Available from http://ipaworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IPA-APC-ResearchSynthesis -Report-A4.pdf The powerful role of play as catharsis, as medicine and as salve for life is profoundly evident in this text. Similar to Eisen’s (1988) study that looked at Jewish children’s play in ghettos during the Holocaust, this text draws attention to the fact that even though “a graveyard is no place for entertainment,” children, across cultures and in all circumstances, will naturally engage in this activity as an authentic part of their existence. The author and the several contributors to this report must be commended for the deep, rich and rigorous research presented. It provides readers with robust evidence of the complexity of children’s play. This text demonstrates just how children do this as they maneuver and meander the rugged terrains of their daily lives. While there is no dearth of research focusing on children’s play, the author of this text has filled a vast gap in the literature germane to children living in situations of crisis. Not since Whiting’s (1963) Six Cultures study has a text so profoundly addressed cultural interpretations and representations of play. Through cross-cultural descriptions and comparisons, readers are provided with deep insight into the role of play in helping children from Japan, Nepal, Turkey, Lebanon, India, and Thailand deal with their existence. While crisis in its multiple forms have often made headlines, when interest fades, and cameras are turned off, what happens in these spaces? How do people move on? This piece seeks to illuminate what the media has often not focused on: how children, as resilient beings, use play to escape the harsh realities of their daily lives. The author of this text outlines her rationale for selecting the research settings. Deliberate attempt was made to conduct research in countries that experienced natural disasters, humanitarian crises and those that were considered to be in “everyday crisis.” This is particularly welcomed because the deliberate focus on research in these countries illuminates the vast richness of what “research in other spaces can do.” The six countries in this study lie outside of highly visible research contexts (Europe, North America and Australasia). If I may say so, as a researcher Book and Film Reviews 129 from a region with minimal visibility in research, it is refreshing and empowering to see representations of countries culturally, economically and socially similar to mine reflected in this book. The research is more connectable and more relatable. I have no doubt that other readers will also appreciate this. Finally, perhaps what is even more commendable is that this book is not only about presenting research but rather about providing readers with tools with which to apply the research. The accompanying toolkit for educators, administrators, and policy makers is like a helping hand, providing guidance to help them to not only develop play spaces, but also to enable them to understand the need to establish, secure environments in order to assist children from crisis situations (Casey, 2017). As a researcher and a child advocate, I appreciate the depth of coverage of Sudeshna Chatterjee, as she draws attention to the importance of children’s play. This book is timely. It will certainly be of tremendous interest to all stakeholders who provide care, coverage or treatment to children. References Casey, T. (Ed.) (2017). Access to play for children in situations of crisis—Play: Rights and practice—A toolkit for staff, managers and policy makers. International Play Association. Available from http://ipaworld.org/wpcontent /uploads/2018/02/IPA-APC-Research-Synthesis-Report-A4.pdf Eisen, G. (1988). Children and play in the holocaust: Games among the shadows. Amherst: The University of Massachusetts Press. Whiting, B. B. (Ed.) (1963). Six cultures: Studies of child rearing. New York: Wiley. Review by Zoyah Kinkead-Clark Dr. Zoyah Kinkead-Clark is a lecturer and researcher in early childhood education at the University of the West Indies, Mona. She received her teaching...