Abstract
Play or hard work: Unpacking wellbeing at preschool
Occupation Therapy Australia National Conference and Exhibition, 25th (Adelaide, Australia, 24-Jul-2013–26-Jul-2013)
2013
Abstract
Introduction: Wellbeing or quality of life is thought to give a more accurate picture of the impact a condition has on day-to-day functioning than traditional outcome measures. Objectives: To examine the relationship between engagement in play and wellbeing for preschool children with and without DCD. Method: A quasi-experimental design was used with two independent groups of preschool children aged 4-6 years with (n= 32) and without (n= 31) probable DCD. Play skills were assessed using the Revised Knox Preschool Play Scales and the Play Observation Scale based on 30 minutes of videotape of free-play at preschool. Wellbeing was assessed using a parent-proxy version of the Revised Children Quality of Life Questionnaire (KINDLR). A series of multiple regressions were performed to determine which play variables predicted wellbeing. Results: Wellbeing at preschool was significantly lower for the children in the DCD group however overall wellbeing was not significantly different. Engagement in type of social play (solitary, parallel or group) was found to predict wellbeing for the typically developing children. For the children with DCD, engagement in group play was not associated with wellbeing. An explanation for this difference may be that children with DCD may not experience free-play at preschool as "play" but rather as hard work. Conclusion: Further research is needed to determine why children with DCD experience lower wellbeing at preschool than their peers and to investigate children´s perceptions of free-play. This may enable teachers and therapists to better support children with DCD in the preschool environment.
Details
- Title
- Play or hard work: Unpacking wellbeing at preschool
- Authors
- Ann Kennedy-Behr (Author) - University of QueenslandSylvia Rodger (Author) - University of QueenslandSharon Mickan (Author) - University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Conference details
- Occupation Therapy Australia National Conference and Exhibition, 25th (Adelaide, Australia, 24-Jul-2013–26-Jul-2013)
- Publisher
- Occupational Therapy Australia
- Date published
- 2013
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449924102621
- Output Type
- Abstract
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