The power of play: enhancing parental engagement and child development through an occupational therapy guided community play space
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Developmental play is critical in developing a child’s cognitive, social-emotional, social, and physical skills and in establishing foundational skills that a child will access throughout their life. Parents play an important role in facilitating meaningful play experience that support a robust development for children; however, many parents face barriers impacting engagement in developmental play such as limited awareness of the importance of play, parental stress, or difficulties with resources to enhance play. Honeycomb Cafe and Busy Bees Play Space is an occupational therapy-informed, community-based program designed to foster connections, education, and confidence. Through educational courses, parent workshops, and many other offerings, the play cafe will assist in promoting parent-child engagement and enhancing interactions. The pilot study is a six-week educational series “The Ins and Outs of Tummy Time” which targets increasing parental confidence, strengthening parent/child interactions, and reducing parental stress. The program is one component of a larger vision to affect positive change in the local community.
Description
2026