PLoS ONE (Jan 2023)

An exploration of parent perceptions of a take-home loose parts play kit intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Calli Naish,
  • Patricia K Doyle-Baker,
  • Meghan S Ingstrup,
  • Gavin R McCormack

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292720
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 10
p. e0292720

Abstract

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The restrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the regular routines of Canadians, including access to play and physical activity opportunities, while limiting social connections. In response to this, a recreation centre created take-home play kits that contained loose parts with the aim of facilitating unstructured play. Between August 2021 and January 2022, ten parents participated in semi-structured interviews via telephone or videoconferencing platforms that captured their experiences of the take-home play kits. Using Thematic Analysis, we identified themes and subthemes reflecting parent perceptions and experiences of the take-home play kit. Three themes emerged: (1 A forced renaissance of play; (2) Bringing unstructured play home, and; (3) Parenting is child's play. Parents shared how the pandemic resulted in decreased physical activity and social opportunities for their children. The parents described how the take-home play kits supported unstructured play as well as their perspectives on the importance of unstructured play. Parents in our study suggested that a take-home loose parts play kit could be a useful resource to help engage children in unstructured play in both indoor and outdoor environments.