Abstract:
This study aims to clarify the perceptions that caregivers have regarding play and play areas. Play is beneficial for children. It develops a child physically, psychologically, emotionally and socially. The study was conducted within the Developmental Assets Theory and the Ecological Systems Theory of Bronfenbrenner. Bronfenbrenner s micro system includes children s caregivers. Play has a direct influence on this system since it can improve the relationship between the child and the caregiver. Play areas form part of Bronfenbrenner s meso-system. The caregiver s views of the safety and availability of play areas impact children s ability to play.
The exo-system, which is in line with the study, includes the caregiver s workplace and South-Africa s crime rate, which have an indirect influence on children s ability to play. The macro-system of Bronfenbrenner includes the caregiver s cultural context about play and how that culture is or is not passed on to their children. Caregivers form part of all four of Bronfenbrenner s systems, which has an impact on children s ability to play. Therefore, this study aims to answer the question: What are the views of caregivers of children in Mikro School in Rustenburg, North West Province, of play and play areas?
In trying to gain insight into caregivers views of play and play areas, the researcher conducted a qualitative, applied study, using a collective case study design. A review of play and play areas forms the basis of the study. An in-depth interview was done with ten caregivers who had children between the ages of four to six years old. From the empirical study, it has been concluded that caregivers do play with their children and that safety issues are a huge concern for them. There are limited safe play areas for children and this needs to be brought under the attention of the local municipalities. The study sheds light on the challenges that caregivers face in South Africa regarding play with their children. The study ends off with recommendations to caregivers and the municipality by the participants regarding play and play areas. Finally, recommendations are made for future research.
