Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
PLoS One. 2024 Sep 30;19(9):e0311293. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311293. eCollection 2024.
Unstructured play is characterized as play that is child initiated and determined, allowing children the freedom and flexibility to engage in activities, including taking risks, without adult intervention. However, playworkers and caregivers are important mediators of children's unstructured play. Studies have investigated playworker and caregiver perspectives regarding play, yet few have done so within the context of community based unstructured play interventions. Our qualitative study explored knowledge, attitudes and perspectives regarding play among playworkers ("play ambassadors") and caregivers exposed to a community based unstructured play intervention implemented in Calgary, Canada. The intervention aimed to encourage unstructured and risky play in local parks via loose parts. Between August and October 2020, ten caregivers and four play ambassadors completed individual semi-structured interviews. Using thematic analysis, we identified four overarching themes. The importance of play (theme 1) reflected play ambassador and caregiver perspectives about how unstructured and risky play promoted health and development and offered opportunities for enjoyment, exploration, and social interaction. Perceptions of the play environment (theme 2) reflected play ambassador and caregiver experiences of the play hubs including the role of loose parts in shaping play. Challenges and triumphs in promoting play (theme 3) reflected play ambassador experiences in facilitating play as well as interactions between caregivers and play ambassadors. Play hub impacts on the community (theme 4) reflected play ambassador and caregiver perspectives on the role of the play hubs in facilitating social interactions and community engagement. Play Ambassadors and caregivers shared common beliefs about the benefits of unstructured and risky play and about the play hubs affects on facilitating social interactions. Community based unstructured play interventions may support play and promote a sense of community.
无结构游戏的特点是由儿童发起和决定的游戏，让儿童有自由和灵活性参与活动，包括冒险，而无需成人干预。然而，游戏工作者和照顾者是儿童无结构游戏的重要中介。研究已经调查了游戏工作者和照顾者对游戏的看法，但很少有研究是在社区为基础的无结构游戏干预的背景下进行的。我们的定性研究探讨了在加拿大卡尔加里实施的社区为基础的无结构游戏干预中接触到的游戏工作者（“游戏大使”）和照顾者对游戏的知识、态度和看法。该干预旨在通过松散部件鼓励当地公园的无结构和冒险游戏。在 2020 年 8 月至 10 月期间，10 名照顾者和 4 名游戏大使完成了个人半结构化访谈。使用主题分析，我们确定了四个总体主题。游戏的重要性（主题 1）反映了游戏大使和照顾者对无结构和冒险游戏如何促进健康和发展以及提供享受、探索和社会互动机会的看法。对游戏环境的看法（主题 2）反映了游戏大使和照顾者对游戏中心的体验，包括松散部件在塑造游戏方面的作用。促进游戏的挑战和成功（主题 3）反映了游戏大使在促进游戏以及照顾者和游戏大使之间的互动方面的经验。游戏中心对社区的影响（主题 4）反映了游戏大使和照顾者对游戏中心在促进社会互动和社区参与方面的作用的看法。游戏大使和照顾者对无结构和冒险游戏的好处以及游戏中心对促进社会互动的影响有共同的看法。社区为基础的无结构游戏干预措施可能支持游戏并促进社区意识。
