The views of caregivers at a child and youth centre in Tshwane on play and play areas

Abstract

Play is an inherent part of childhood and holds numerous benefits for children’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Play is acknowledged as a right of all children. However, factors such as hurried lifestyles, an emphasis on academic performance, and changes in the basic structure of families, result in a marked reduction in children’s play, especially free or child-directed play. This study focused on children in middle childhood; a life stage during which children’s social environment widens and they are exposed to numerous new learning experiences. They might thus benefit from the positive physical and psychosocial effects of play. Research indicates that parents’ attitudes towards play, determine the time children spend on play, as well as the forms of play that children engage in. For children being cared for in a child and youth care centre, the caregivers are responsible for their everyday care. It is thus proposed that caregivers’ attitudes towards play might thus influence the time spent on play and the forms of play of the children in their care. The Developmental Systems Theory, which formed the theoretical framework for the study, suggests that developmental assets within the child, the home and the wider environment, can build resilience in children. Children in alternative care are regarded as a most vulnerable group and the benefits of play might thus contribute to these assets. A literature search indicated a lack of local research on the topic of play and play areas, as well as on the role of play within a residential care setting. The following research question was stated for the study: What are the views of caregivers at a child and youth care centre on play and play areas? The goal of the study was to explore and describe the views of caregivers at a child and youth care centre on play and play areas. A qualitative research approach supported the researcher’s aim to obtain information on the topic from the personal point of view of the caregivers. Applied research was relevant to the study, as the findings of the study are intended to be utilised in practice. A collective case study research design was relevant to gaining and comparing the views of a sample of caregivers who cared for children in a child and youth care centre. Nine caregivers, selected by means of purposive and stratified random sampling, participated in the study. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews that were guided by an interview schedule. The findings of the study suggested that the participants had positive views on children’s play and the benefits that different forms of play could have for the children in their care. They identified factors that influenced children’s play in their context, such as the time factor, routine of the children and the caregivers, and caring for children in alternative care. The participants viewed the play areas on the grounds of the child and youth care centre as safe play areas and discussed benefits and possible risks of better equipped play areas. Public play areas in the neighbourhood were visited less, often due to concerns over the safety of the children. The participants’ advice was in support of providing children with sufficient opportunities for play. It can be concluded that the participants valued the nature and role of childhood play, as well as the benefits that play could have for the children in their care. It is recommended that persons working with children, such as caregivers and social workers, be informed about the value of play. The management of child and youth care centres must establish suitable play areas for children and local authorities must provide safe neighbourhood play areas for children. Furthermore, large scale research studies could highlight the state of childhood play in diverse contexts in which children function, such as different neighbourhoods, schools and child and youth care centres, and related to diverse child populations in terms of age, race and gender.