Caregivers' views on play and play areas in Salvokop Tshwane

Abstract

This study explored caregivers' views on play and play areas in Salvokop, Tshwane. Specific focus was placed on children's play, play between caregiver and child, and the importance of play spaces. Five relevant categories were identified for investigation including biographical details, the child in early childhood, caregivers' opinions on play, play between caregiver and child, and public play areas. The research methodology for this study was clearly defined and outlined where a qualitative research approach was utilised with a semi-structured interview schedule as data-collection method. The literature chapter focused on early childhood, theoretical perspectives on play, defining play, the advantages of play, as well as play between parents and child and the importance of public play areas. Research findings for this qualitative study were presented using tables which were fully discussed in the study in order to describe caregivers' views on play, play between caregiver and child, and play areas. Research findings showed that not all caregivers are aware of the importance of play for child development and do not consider play on its own as the most important activity during early childhood, yet caregivers indicate that their children spend most of their time playing. The types of play that children engage in have numerous advantages and are more varied than what caregivers deem important. Caregivers believe that children need long periods of play on a daily basis and most children do actually play for long periods every day. Children in this study also participate in more physical activity than children in some developed countries. Children have uninterrupted time to play where they are not hurried or directed by anyone. Caregivers play with their children and enjoy different types of play with their children. However, there is a lack of physical play between caregivers and children. There is no public play area in Salvokop but caregivers would like to have a public play area and indicate that their children will make use of a public play area extensively. Finally, conclusions and recommendations were made following the key findings for this study. The research question for this study was fully answered in that the empirical investigation provided a comprehensive reflection of caregiver's views on play and play areas.