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Children Are Back to School, but Is Play Still in Lockdown? Play Experiences, Social Interactions, and Children’s Quality of Life in Primary Education in the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Lourenço

    (Research Centre on Child Studies, Institute of Education (CIEC-IE), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    Play Activity Department, Child Support Institute (IAC), 1050-185 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Fernando Martins

    (UNICID-Applied Sport Sciences Research Unit (ASSERT), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3030-329 Coimbra, Portugal
    Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, IIA, ROBOCORP, 3030-329 Coimbra, Portugal
    Instituto de Telecomunicações, Delegação da Covilhã, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Beatriz Pereira

    (Research Centre on Child Studies, Institute of Education (CIEC-IE), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Rui Mendes

    (UNICID-Applied Sport Sciences Research Unit (ASSERT), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3030-329 Coimbra, Portugal
    Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, IIA, ROBOCORP, 3030-329 Coimbra, Portugal
    CIDAF, FCDEF, University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

The right to play is crucial for the overall development of children. Several studies highlight the need to have time and space to play, especially at school where children spend much of their time. Unfortunately, in formal education the obsession with academic achievements sidelines and ignores the importance of play. The neglection of play had already reached a critical stage before the pandemic, so data are needed to realize how the right to play in school is presently affected. This paper aims to understand children’s play experience in primary education during the pandemic. It investigates what activities children participated in and what materials were used, and provides insight into the social interactions between peers. Furthermore, children’s quality of life is explored. A group of 370 Portuguese children answered a questionnaire on play and social interactions, alongside with Peds 4.0 TM on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The results showed that recess still emerges as a significant element of children’s daily lives, but COVID-19 has brought limitations on play experiences and peer-interaction. It might also have impacted HRQOL, especially in emotional functioning. Since play, health and well-being are closely connected, play opportunities at school are crucial in helping children to thrive in the pandemic, and should be invested in.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Lourenço & Fernando Martins & Beatriz Pereira & Rui Mendes, 2021. "Children Are Back to School, but Is Play Still in Lockdown? Play Experiences, Social Interactions, and Children’s Quality of Life in Primary Education in the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12454-:d:688684
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Giuseppina Lo Moro & Tiziana Sinigaglia & Fabrizio Bert & Armando Savatteri & Maria Rosaria Gualano & Roberta Siliquini, 2020. "Reopening Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Overview and Rapid Systematic Review of Guidelines and Recommendations on Preventive Measures and the Management of Cases," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Alice Masini & Davide Gori & Sofia Marini & Marcello Lanari & Susan Scrimaglia & Francesco Esposito & Francesco Campa & Alessia Grigoletto & Andrea Ceciliani & Stefania Toselli & Laura Dallolio, 2021. "The Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Primary School Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Katriona O’Sullivan & Serena Clark & Amy McGrane & Nicole Rock & Lydia Burke & Neasa Boyle & Natasha Joksimovic & Kevin Marshall, 2021. "A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
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