Did children’s play return to how it was after pandemic restrictions lifted?

Details

The United Nations recognizes children’s right to play because of its importance for holistic development. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions disrupted children’s access to that right. Earlier studies had shown changes in play during restrictions, and this study asked whether those changes were still observed after restrictions lifted.

Using a mixed-methods design, schools in England distributed a 22-item questionnaire to 124 caregivers. They shared observations of their children’s play during restrictions and in the six months before data collection.

Quantitative analysis found that pandemic-era increases in time to play, adult-child play and outdoor play had been counteracted since restrictions lifted, but device play remained elevated. Qualitative comments highlighted how children’s affect influenced their play, the activities they chose and the extent of increases in screen time.

The researchers discussed the need to place greater value on play at home and the role educational psychologists could have in supporting this.