Perceptions among Hong Kong parents on Play in Early Childhood: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative study aimed to explore parents’ perceptions of children’s play in Hong Kong. Semistructured interviews were conducted to ask how parents defined and valued play. Data analysis from forty participants’ qualitative quotes revealed that participating parents had a positive view toward the importance of enhancing learning through children’s play. In addition, some participating parents defined play as a broad spectrum encompassing four themes: innate in nature, free from rules or constraints, self-directed or spontaneously initiated, and age-appropriate. Also, some parents highlighted play as having various benefits for children’s cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. The findings of this study add to the existing knowledge base by identifying parents’ diverse perceptions about play and learning. It also reflects a growing parental consensus of viewing play as a multi-dimensional concept valuable for whole child development.