The Impact of Local and National Restrictions on Children's Play: How Play Changed During the Pandemic, and How it Remained Different Three Years Later

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the ways in which people could go about their daily lives and enact their human rights. Restrictions in place at this time limited children's access to play, a right defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This thesis explores the ways in which children's play changed during the pandemic, and the ways in which it remained different after restrictions had been lifted. A systematic literature review of 10 studies conducted internationally while restrictions were in place shows how children's play had been affected. Three analytical themes emerged: foundations of play; children's pursuits and losses; and factors interacting with play. Through a 22-item mixed methods questionnaire distributed via schools in the northwest of England, 124 caregivers shared their observations of their children's play during times of restriction and over the preceding six months. Quantitative analysis demonstrates that increases in time to play, adult-child play, and outdoor play during the pandemic had been counteracted since restrictions were lifted, however, device play remained elevated. Qualitative comments highlight the impact of children's affect on their play, the activities children chose to pursue, and the extent of increases in screen time. There is a need to place greater value on children's play at home and a focus on non-device-based adult-child play activities may help to alleviate caregiver concerns regarding increases in screen time that have persisted beyond the pandemic. EPs have an important role in championing children's access to their right to play, both during possible future instances of local and national restriction and for children who continue to experience barriers to play unrelated to the pandemic.

Date of Award	6 Jan 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Kevin Woods (Supervisor) & Emma Harding (Supervisor)