Moms always have a different reason for playing with their children from Dads. This study in Athens brings home the point. One thing though, play is key for development as we develop cognitively as well as physically.
A study presented at the BPS (The British Psychological Society) Joint Cognitive and Developmental Psychology Section annual conference this week suggests that mums are more likely to see playing with their child as an opportunity for learning and development compared to dads who see play as an opportunity for fun and bonding.
The study was undertaken by Dr Despina Papoudi and Dr Kallirroi Papadopoulou from Department of Early Childhood Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and focused on how parents perceive play with their children.
Dr Papoudi explained: “Previous research has recognized the need to examine parents’ views about children’s development. This supports the idea that these views underlie parenting practices and provide the context for parent-child interaction, mediating and influencing children’s developmental outcomes. The purpose of the current study was to examine mothers’ and fathers’ views and participation in their children’s play.”
Over 400 parents with children aged 4-5 years who attended nurseries completed two questionnaires. One regarding their views about their children’s play and the second regarding the frequency of the participation in their children’s play.
Analysis showed that Mums perceived play as a means for development and learning, they participated more in playful activities and educational games and in socialization play compared to dads. Whereas dads were more likely to perceive play as an opportunity for bonding and fun.
Dr Papoudi said: “The anecdotal view of dad being the one who provides the rough and tumble fun with infants and mum teaches through play seem supported by the current study’s findings with preschool children. However, it is important to note that although we found some disparity in how parents perceive play we also found much agreement on how important it is to play with your child.
Play is an activity for joint engagement between parents and children and its significance is associated with parents’ involvement in children’s play.”
The 2013 Joint Annual Conference Cognitive and Developmental Sections conference is taking place at the Univesrity of Reading and will run from the 4 – 6 September. The full programme can be accessed here. You can also follow the conference on Twitter.