Play Preferences of Typically Developing Children and Children with Developmental Delays between Ages 3 and 7 Years

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey research investigated play preferences of children with and without developmental delays who were between 3 and 7 years old. Parents completed questionnaires regarding their child's play activity and context preferences. Valid results were obtained for 166 children, 83 of whom had developmental delays. Preference ratings were compared by gender, age, and delay status. Play preference did not differ by gender. Rough-and-tumble play and computer/video game play increased with age, whereas object exploration decreased. Children with developmental delays had higher preferences for roughand-tumble play and object exploration and lower preferences for drawing and coloring, construction, and doll and action figurine play than typically developing children. This comparison of children's play preferences across ages, gender, and developmental status enhances our understanding of how these variables influence children's play.

A Survey of Pediatric Occupational Therapists' Use of Play

“…Play may foster the unexpected and allow animals to learn to deal with the unpredictable, thus decreasing anxiety and increasing resiliency (Siviy, 2010;Spinka, Newberry, & Bekoff, 2001;Sutton-Smith, 1997 According to the official documents of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA, 2008a(AOTA, , 2008b, play is a domain of primary concern for occupational therapy practitioners. Following direction from AOTA, it follows suit that scholars in the field have infused the literature with new studies, books, and assessment tools addressing the power of play in the lives of children (Bourke-Taylor, Law, Howie, & Pallant, 2009;Bundy, 2005;Bundy et al, 2008;Case-Smith & Kuhaneck, 2008;Jankovich et al, 2008;Miller & Kuhaneck, 2008;Miller Kuhaneck et al, 2010;Parham & Fazio, 2008;Stagnitti, 2004;Stagnitti & Unsworth, 2000;Tanta, Deitz, White, & Billingsly, 2005). Outside of occupational therapy, perhaps the most compelling recent event was the publication of a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ginsburg, 2007) that outlined negative forces working against children's play, advocated for the inclusion of play in the academic and social lives of all children, and called for further research in this area.…”

“…This lower rate of play assessment is surprising given the literature in occupational therapy and other fields supportive of the importance of play (Bourke-Taylor et al, 2009;Bundy, 2003Bundy, , 2005Bundy et al, 2008;Case-Smith & Kuhaneck, 2008;Ginsburg, 2007;Jankovich et al, 2008;Miller Kuhaneck et al, 2010;Parham & Fazio, 2008;Stagnitti, 2004;Stagnitti & Unsworth, 2000;Tanta et al, 2005). The lower rate of play assessment now compared to 1998 is also surprising given the increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder and the welldocumented poor play skills of this population of children (Baio, 2012;Mastrangelo, 2009).…”

“…Results of their study once more called for the profession to embrace play, in particular addressing content in entry-level educational programs, access to assessment tools, and continuing education opportunities for practicing clinicians. In the intervening years, a significant body of literature has been published in occupational therapy promoting the use of play and researching play (Bundy et al, 2008;Case-Smith & Kuhaneck, 2008;Jankovich, Mullen, Rinear, Tanta, & Deitz, 2008;Miller Kuhaneck, Spitzer, & Miller, 2010;Parham, 2008;Stagnitti, 2004;Stagnitti & Unsworth, 2000). Therefore, practice patterns may have changed.…”

Gender Stereotypes of Children’s Toys: Investigating the Perspectives of Adults Who Have and Do Not Have Children

“…Play is the primary occupation of children and provides a significant learning experience for their development (Case-Smith & Kuhaneck, 2008;Kim, 2002;Miller & Kuhaneck, 2008;Stagnitti, 2004). Through play children can explore and promote the development of essential cognitive, motor, sensory, adaptive, and social skills.…”

Development, Reliability, and Validity of the My Child’s Play (MCP) Questionnaire

“…P lay is considered the primary occupation of childhood (Case-Smith & Kuhaneck, 2008;Welters-Davis & Lawson, 2011) and the natural context within which children develop complex social behaviors and competence (Wilkes, Cordier, Bundy, Docking, & Munro, 2011). Through play experiences, children develop many skills in the motor, perceptual, language, cognitive, and emotional domains (e.g., Rigby & Rodger, 2006;Uren & Stagnitti, 2009).…”