Children's Play Activities Research Articles

Parents' attitudes regarding their children's play during COVID-19: Impact of socioeconomic status and urbanicity

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the daily routines of parents and children. This study explored the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) and urbanicity on parents' attitudes toward their children's active play opportunities 6 months and 1.5 years into COVID-19. MethodsA sample of 239 Ontario parents of children aged 12 and younger completed two online surveys (August–December 2020; 2021) to assess parents' intentions, beliefs, and comforts concerning their child's eventual return to play, in addition to various sociodemographic and physical activity variables. Descriptive analyses were run as well as an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to group the 14 attitude items into subscales for analysis, to ensure reliability and validity of attitude measures. ResultsIn general, parents in communities with more urban features (e.g., densely populated areas), single-parents, full-time employed parents, and parents with lower-incomes were more hesitant to return their children to active play during the pandemic. ConclusionFindings from this work highlight SES and urbanicity disparities that continue to exist during COVID-19.

The principles behind active play

Angelica Celinska, lecturer and trainer, discusses a few core principles surrounding children's active play and physical development, including from an evolutionary perspective, how the great pioneers discussed this topic and where physical development stands today.

Lingkungan Main Bagi Toddler di Dalam Keluarga

<p><strong>The environment is an important element in the period of early childhood, a sensitive period where children are ready to respond to all stimuli from the environment. The play environment is a very meaningful resource for facilitating children's play activities. This study aims to determine the playing tools used by toddlers, either locomotor, nonlocomotor, and manipulative, and to identify aspects that are generally stimulated by families at toddler age. This study used a qualitative descriptive method with 106 families in Jabodetabek as respondents and the research lasted for 9 months, June 2019- January 2020. The data collection tool used was questionnaire to gather information about the respondent family environment. The data is then processed and analyzed using: (a)Descriptive Statistical Analysis: questionnaire filled by respondents are analyzed for data trends, and (b)Qualitative Analysis: results of descriptive statistical analysis are explained qualitatively through the description of observations and interviews on respondents. The results showed that: 66.04 % toddlers live in nuclear families and 33.96% within extended families. Facilitation from the play environment for toddlers to strengthen the feelings of self, independent activity, and cooperation is quite high, but the possibility for toddlers to play fantasy is quite low. Aspects of development generally stimulated by families at toddler age are more nonlocomotor, and acceleration of technological development in developing children's play has widened the gap on children's playing experiences in families</strong></p><p><em><strong>Keywords - </strong>Toddler, Play environment, Family.</em></p>

Specifics of modern spontaneous play in preschool children

The article presents results obtained during the study of various features of preschool children`s play activity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the state of free spontaneous modern preschoolers` play, including role play, or pretend play. The study setting is a state secondary in Moscow. The study involved 26 pupils aged 4 to 6 years. The main study method was included observation of children's play activities. The results showed that modern preschoolers` games plots were mainly reproductive, consisted of stereotypical actions. For the development of the plot and the game as a whole, children needed guidance from an adult. It was found that in most games, the role was missing. Its manifestations, such as role-playing speech, actions according to the role, were extremely rare. Also, in most groups of children, there was a frequent distraction to extraneous stimuli, which almost immediately ruined the course of the game. The data obtained can be used to understand better and study contemporary children's play further.

Children’s play during wartime in Ukraine from the preschool teacher’s perspective

The article analyzes the results of a study that reveals characteristics of preschool children play activities in the conditions of the war in Ukraine, which were collected in two regions of the country significantly different in the scope of military operations carried out, life activities of the population (in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and territories under Ukrainian control), as well as peculiarities of preschool education itself. The objectives of the research were: to find and highlight changes in the content, types and organizational forms of play activities of preschool children in the conditions of war based on the results of observations by preschool teachers; to identify the level of awareness of preschool teachers regarding play resources as an effective tool for psychosocial support of children in war conditions; to determine the need for preschool teachers to develop their skills in facilitating children's play activities in war conditions for the introduction of appropriate measures in the system of postgraduate pedagogical education; to approve a set of diagnostic tools for further research. The results of the research proved that: 1) the war in Ukraine significantly changed a nature of play activities of preschool children compared to the pre-war period, which is reflected in: the dominance of various plots of military actions in the content of a play, while children play new roles (of a positive nature – military, rescuers, firefighters, volunteers, doctors, construction workers, etc.), conditioned by the new military reality; children's active use of toy weapons and toy substitutes for modern weapons; increased time, spent on computer games, including war-themed games; reduced time, spent on play in general and free play in particular; refusal of children from noisy, active games in favor of quiet, quiet play alone; growing need of children for greater attention of adults during the play; emotional excitement of children, dominance of negative emotions in the play; increased weight of creative activities in children's daily routine, including play. The specified changes are found both in play activities of boys and girls of preschool age; 2) preschool teachers are aware of the importance of play for supporting the child's well-being in wartime conditions. They consider the level of their own knowledge and skills to support play activities of preschoolers to be insufficient, and so understand the urgent need for their additional training In-service Teacher Training institutions in the area of play facilitation

Improving Learning Creativity in Early Childhood Through Learning Media Loose Part: Energetic, Concentrated and Creative

Loose Part Media is an effective learning method that can increase children's creativity. This paper aims to test loose part media can increase learning creativity in early childhood. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. Data collection methods used are observation, short interviews, and documentation. Sources of data obtained from children's play activities and children's work are documented directly as the main informant and explained using children's stories. The subjects of this study were early childhood, as much 15 people. Research data processing is carried out systematically so that the effectiveness of the data can be used to draw conclusions. The results of this study indicate that the application of loose-part media is proven to be effective in increasing the creativity of early childhood learning. This can be seen from the behavior shown by children in learning activities using loose part media, namely energetic, concentration, and creative. Loose-part media also encourages children to build knowledge around them through observing, asking questions, investigating, and solving their own problems, it will increase children's creativity when they play. Loose part media is media that is always used by teachers in the teaching and learning process in the classroom. This is due to its flexibility in every lesson, its ease in using in games, and is liked by children. In addition, this loose part of media also gives freedom for children to express their ideas, creativity, and imagination in activities through these media.

TOYS AND GAMES OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN UKRAINIAN REALITIES CAUSED BY WAR

Military operations on territory of Ukraine changed lives of all their citizens. Ukrainian children are the most vulnerable in this situation. The article is about the changes observed in the playing activities of children caused by war in Ukraine. The description of new methods in playing activities is the deployment of play activities in a safe, adult-defined environment (in a bomb shelter, a shelter, on a temporarily safe playground) with children who are currently nearby.The content of playing plots of preschoolers, which is caused by external circumstances, the redistribution of responsibilities in the Ukrainian family, and the emergence of multi-age play associations, is analyzed. These are such games as "war machine", "shelter", "soldiers", unfolding of game plots based on multimedia usually content not available for preschool children. A description of modern toys popular among preschoolers is given: toy weapons, military paraphernalia, new imaginative toys. Advises for parents on choosing toys and organizing play activities of preschool children are provided.Key words: modern toy, playing activity, change of game plots, children of preschool age, Ukrainian society.

Emergent patterns in the development of young children's object play

The present study set out to examine developments in object play in a contemporary sample of 289 typically developing children from 8- to 60-months of age. The value of object play centers on developments in object knowledge and mental representation, along with the developmental processes of decentration, substitution, and agency. The early play studies focused on one or another of these aspects of development, and generally for the age group 12–36 months. The present study sought to expand this age period and to examine these processes in relation to one another and how they build upon each other in development.Videorecorded observations of the children's play activities were collected in homes for children recruited at 8-, 12-, 18-, 24-, 30-, 36-, 42-, 48-, 54-, and 60-months of age. Children were White (70%); of mixed racial/cultural backgrounds (14%); Asian (7%); Black (6%); and Latinx (3%); 49% were boys; 51% were girls.Twenty-seven categories of object play were identified. Progress was analyzed in frequency of category occurrence and variety of examples expressed within a category. Some categories occurred with robust frequency and variety, and others did not. Within-subjects analyses of variance revealed significant interactions between age and categories. Exploratory factor analyses of variety suggested clusters of categories representing cognitive change. Discussion centers on the intersection of cognitive development with experience, the covariation of developments in play, and the usefulness of frequency and variety as measures of play.

Active Play Social Network Change for Mexican-Heritage Children Participating in a Father-Focused Health Program

ABSTRACT Background Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for physical, mental, and emotional health; however, Latinx children report lower PA levels. Scholars have called for a renewed focus on fathers to promote child health. Purpose This study examines changes in Mexican-heritage child active play networks through participation in a father-focused family-centered health program. Methods Families (child aged 9–11, mother, and father) from colonias participated in a six-week healthy eating and active living program. Children reported up to five people they actively played with most before and after the program, their relationship, frequency with which they played with the person, and what they did most often with that person. Results Children (n = 42, M age = 9.79, SD = 1.01; 54.8% girls) reported a mean of 3.79 people in their network before and 4.24 people after the program. Children reported significantly more frequent active play with others after the program. Girls reported significantly more frequent active play with others when compared to boys; however, boys were significantly more likely to increase their frequency of active play with others. Discussion Results indicate family-centered father-focused programs could increase active play with networks. Translation to Health Education Practice Incorporating elements of co-participation in active play may increase frequency of active play.

Making connections between learning centres and children’s play lives during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This project explores children’s engagement in play activities and how caregivers supported their children’s play during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our sample included six primary caregivers (five mothers and one father) of at least one child attending a private, child learning centre in the northeastern United States. Child participants (four boys and one girl) ranged in age between 19 months and five years and five months. Caregivers completed journals that contained children's play activities for a two-week period as well as an open-ended survey (13 questions) that addressed caregiver perceptions of their children’s play, communication with the child’s learning centre staff, and the form of children's play. We found caregivers supported their children's play and were frequent play partners; children played indoors and outdoors; learning centres provided caregivers with useful information and activities; and play helped both children and caregivers cope with the stressors associated with the social isolation due to COVID-19 protocols.

FORMATION OF GAME SPACES FOR CHILDREN

The article outlines the relevance of updating children's spaces in the urban environment, considers the theoretical foundations of the problem and identifies the main approaches to its solution at different levels of urban structure (macro, mezo, micro). Negative experience and shortcomings of the current state of arrangement of playgrounds in the living environment of Ukrainian cities, which requires innovative professional architectural solutions, are noted. An analysis of the basic principles of designing children's spaces, taking into account the requirements of safety, comfort, providing opportunities for play, cognitive activities of children. Children's playground has significant potential for child development, the formation of an independent creative personality. The significance and features of the organization of play activities for children of different ages are considered. During the game the child learns about the world, so the playgrounds should be diverse, allow contact with nature, promote children's communication, and provide an individual choice of activities for each child, regardless of ability, temperament and physical capabilities.
 The directions of development of children's play spaces in cities are determined: social, inclusive, bio-psychological, ecological, artistic and entertaining. The advantages of open game zones are emphasized. The social direction of design defines children's play areas as an element of urban public spaces, which are characterized by general accessibility, democracy, comfort, multi functionality, flexibility, imagery and human scale. Bio-psychological direction emphasizes the harmonious development of the child, taking into account age, physiological and psychological characteristics. The modern concept of children's play spaces in the city is a set of small spaces for games, entertainment, exercise, cultural and educational activities and artistic education of children.

Children's playful musicking: Peer culture within a day-care setting in Singapore

In the field of early childhood education, play has become synonymous with curriculum but is sometimes viewed narrowly as a pedagogical tool to enhance child development. However, it is known from a range of multidisciplinary work that child-initiated and child-guided forms and contexts of playing can offer rich insight into diversity in childhood(s), peer cultures and children's meaning-making. This article draws on an ethnographic study that was conducted in a full-day childcare centre in Singapore and focused on children's everyday world of self-initiated play, improvisation and peer culture. Specifically, it presents examples of songs and rhythmic chants created by a group of 4-year-olds . Such ‘musicking’ is a form of social play that illustrates children’s ways of teasing, relating with others and sense-making within their contemporary social world. The article argues for educators to look beyond the instrumental value of play in the preschool curriculum, inviting all to take some time to allow children's multifarious play activities to influence their adult sensibilities.

‘Stranger-danger’ – Israeli children playing with the concept of ‘Corona’ and its’ impact during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This study examines reports of 118 parents about the play activities of Israeli children aged 3-9 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents responded to online questionnaires describing children's play, creative activities and the family's situation. Qualitative analyses revealed changes in both the nature of the children's play activities and in the expressed themes. Findings highlight positive gains in children's development and family relationships. The varied and expansive nature of play seemed to support the children's coping with lockdown and social distancing restrictions. Themes emerging from socio-dramatic play show attempts to deal with fear of coronavirus by seeking imaginary protection and refuge from it, and by attempts to defeat it. Of note are the use of humor and cynicism alongside acts of concern and altruism towards grandparents. Our study contributes evidence as to the adaptive abilities of children and the self-healing functions of play, and denote the need to promote them.

Children’s indoor and outdoor play as potential correlates of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran: a brief report on national survey

ABSTRACT Over the past 16 months, Iranian children have had their schools closed. Prolonged COVID-19-related restrictions and limited play activities can have significant mental health consequences in children. Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of Iranian parents (n = 1182) of children aged between 5 and 11 years completed an online survey including: Children's Play Scale (CPS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (I-PANAS-SF), and the Strength and Difficulties Questionarie (SDQ). Parents reported that their child spent significantly longer time playing outside at home and inside at home than anywhere else. Children were also reported to spend the minimum number of hours at indoor play centres, near water, green spaces, and playgrounds. Compared to the pre-COVID-19 context, significant declines in outdoor play activities during the pandemic were reported for 83% of children. Findings revealed that there is a significant but small negative correlation between mental health difficulties and total CPS scores (r = −.427, p < .0001). Correlations of CPS scores with Positive and Negative affect were weak but significant (r = .211, and r = −.294, respectively; p < .0001). Results indicate that it is necessary to find strategies to increase children's outdoor play activities, especially when they return to their schools with wider-spread social and emotional needs than before.

MEMBANGUN KARAKTER ANAK MELALUI PERMAINAN AMPAR-AMPAR PISANG BERBASIS KEARIFAN LOKAL DENGAN METODE SARISWARA

The paper was created to describe the benefits of traditional ampar-ampar pisang games based on local wisdom in building children's character with Sariswara method as the main foundation. The background of this writing is due to the change in children's play activities today, where children now prefer to play digital games and are identical to the use of modern technology such as video games and online games. As a result, traditional games are now beginning to be forgotten and become unfamiliar among today's children. Furthermore, the level of addiction to modern games in children is also increasingly crazy, thus affecting the children's life habits and behaviors. This paper is based on a literature study that outlines the various impacts that occur in children when addicted to playing games that can result in the character that will be formed in the child. This paper also compares the influence of modern games with traditional games based on local wisdom with Sariswara methods on children's characters. By restoring the role and function of traditional children's games such as banana hooks as children's games, today can be a solution to create a generation of people with superior character.

Contesting digital leisure time: Parental struggles in relation to young children's play with tablets at home

AbstractYoung children's practices with tablet computers has been a topic in parenting discourses for several years, drawing on earlier debates over technologies and media in children's lives. In this article, I analyse data from a video observation–based media ethnography of seven Danish children (aged 4–6) and engage with the research tradition attributed to parental mediation. The analysis suggests two major paths in the struggles that stand out from the discourses and in situ practices of parents and children in the empirical data. These paths encompass struggles in relation to supporting and directing children's play activities and setting boundaries in their use of tablets and content. The nuances and implications of both paths are analysed and discussed in terms of strategies that emerge to support children's agency and rapport with parents, as well as what this means for future research.

Motivation problems of corrective motor-play activity of children with psychomotor disorders and possible ways of their solution

The article analyzes one of the main problems of physical rehabilitation of children with psychomotor disorders – the problem of motivation in corrective motor activity. This determined the aim – to determine the main directions of the motivational sphere formation in the process of correctional play activity of children with psychomotor disorders.&#x0D; The following research methods were used: the method of analysis, which made it possible to identify the main characteristics and types of motivational support of children for various types of activity; the method of pedagogical observations and the method of synthesis revealed the powerful method of motivating – theatricalization of the correctional process using physical education.&#x0D; The research results were expressed in the definition of the concepts: motive, motivational field, motivational impulse, which are the components of the concept of motivation, the variety of which is defined in four types.&#x0D; There were made following conclusions:&#x0D; &#x0D; The motivation of corrective motor-play activity is based on the unconscious influences of the unconscious, caused by the external use by the teacher of the corresponding children's fairy-tale archetypes and the emotional experiences, caused by them.&#x0D; One of the main methods of increasing motivation is the use of the possibilities of pedagogical "drama" in the form of a method of dosed dramatization of the motor-game plot of a remedial lesson, which should be considered as a physical culture fairy tale.&#x0D; For the implementation of effective dramatic motivation, it is necessary to provide points of dramatization of different influence strength.&#x0D;

Parenting Patterns of Single Parents Father's Against Child Psychology

This study uses a qualitative method. The collection technique used is using observation, interviews, and literature study. The research problems were analyzed using Structural-Functional Theory and Psychoanalytic Theory. The findings in this study are divided into two parts. First, the parenting pattern, the process of implementing the parenting style, the single parent Father takes care and educates the child by instilling values and norms, applying discipline, giving appreciation, providing religious education, meeting the physical needs of the child. In the process of parenting, there are obstacles and expectations of parents towards their children. Second, discussing the psychological implications for children, which can be seen in terms of children's moral behavior, children's personality and socialization, as well as children's play activities.

Family Support Relationship With Playing Activities Of 5-6 Years Old Children In The Pandemic Period

Play and children are an inseparable unity. Every activity carried out by children will always indicate play activities. Playing is very important for early childhood because through play it develops aspects of child development. The importance of fulfilling play when children are at home requires full support from the family to improve children's development in all aspects considering that at this time children's schools are closed and children's activities must be fully carried out at home. This research design used a cross-sectional study design. The sampling method used was nonprobability sampling, namely the purposive sampling technique. The research sample was 36 respondents. The research was conducted in August. Research by measuring or observing at the same time (Point Time Approach). The results of the study, namely the results of fisher's alternative chi-square test obtained p-value = 0.008 in the sense that the p-value is smaller than the value of α = 0.05. There is a significant relationship between family support and children's play activities. It is hoped that this research can become information material for parents in accompanying their children during the pandemic and always accompanying children while playing both during the pandemic period and after the pandemic has passed.

Bag Toss Game based on Internet of Education Things (IoET) for the Development of Fine Motor Stimulation in Children 5-6 Years Old

The development of a child's motor skills starts when a child is 0 months old to 6 years old. In general, the development of motor skills divided into fine motor development and gross motor development. Fine motor development is a development that involves small muscles to follow certain movements. An example of a game activity to help stimulate small muscle development is the Bag Toss game. This game helps stimulate fine motor development by increasing eye coordination with the hand. In addition to the types of activities that boost fine motor development, it also requires the ability to monitor, record, and process the results of children's activities to assess and analyze the status of a child's fine motor development. In this study, we developed the Bag Toss game system that connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) platform. Bag Toss game has linked with a sensor that will record children's play activities. The results of recording data will be sent to the IoT platform to be processed and presented through the internet network. The implementation of IoT for educational purposes is known as the Internet of Educational Things (IoET). The system built will be tested in terms of functionality, reading accuracy and child assessment. The functionality of the system works 100% according to predetermined component functions, as well as for 100% successful reading accuracy for the scenario of throwing distances of 1 meter and 1.5 meters. In addition, the average delay time for every hole is 0.62 seconds. The delay value can still be tolerated and does not interfere with the game when the child assessment is conducted. The child assessment involved 4 children, the results obtained that 3 children are in the Well Development (BSH) stage and 1 child in Very Well Development (BSB) stage.