Intervention research on children's free play: Parents' perspective

Abstract

This study was undertaken in Hong Kong, in which the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on people from all walks of life was evident. Various preventive measures were enforced, including the closure of many outdoor playgrounds and suspension of face-to-face contact in schools. These preventive measures impacted children because of the restrictions on their use of public facilities for leisure activities. Playright has always promoted free play in Hong Kong and had considerable concerns about the impact of the pandemic on children’s play. In this regard, Playright developed a free play protocol that was implemented either in self-organized programmes or in partnership with some kindergartens. Against this backdrop, this study examined the evidence-based outcomes of the protocol.