Play in a Multicultural World

Maya Goldstein

Global Summit on Childhood, Vancouver BC

April 11, 2014

M.A. Human Development Learning and Culture

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation” (Plato, 347 BC - 427 BC)

Play as a Cultural Activity

• Central activity of children‘s lives in all cultures

• The value of play differs across cultures

• Play reflects the values and traditions of the children’s culture

• Parents’ role as play partners is different from culture to culture

Bowman, 2004; Cannella & Viruru, 1997; Farver et al., 1995; Gunco et al.,1999; Pan, 1994; Parmar et al., 2004, 2008; Ramsey, 2006; Rogoff, 2003; Roopnarine et al., 1998; Roopnarine & Johnson, 1994; Roopnarine et al., 2003; Roopnarine & Krishnakumar, 2006.

Play in Different Cultures

Six Cultures Study

• Kenya, India, Mexico, The Philippines, The United States and Japan

• Focused on social interactions, events, play partners and activities

• Children played in all communities, but the focus changed

• The US was different compared with the other places

Edwards, 2000; Whiting, 1963

Play Memories From Your Childhood

• Where did you play?

• Who did you play with?

• What did you play with?

• What influenced this activity?

Purpose of Study

To study and understand parent-child play interactions of South Asian

immigrants by bringing forth their voices and experiences and learning

about the parents’ perceptions regarding play and development

Play Study

• Observations in a drop-in centre • Observations in families’ homes • Interviews with parents and staff member • Calendar activity logs

Key Findings

• Directing parents and socializing parents

• Child led activities vs. parent led activities

• Directive approach vs. natural approach

• Educational play

• Solitary Play

• Toys and “other toys”

• Differences between Canada and India

Structured art activities

ABC toys

Number toys

Playdough

“Free” art activities

Kitchen and tools

Cars and trucks

Water table

Parents Children

Two Approaches to Play

“Because for me I like the educational toys, because now I stopped to bring cars, now I bring educational toys…Educational toys means 1,2,3 there’s a puzzle right, you can pick, then I have computers, the small toy computers then he know ABC he know 1 to 10, he know the coloring” (boy’s mom)

“but if they are playing, I never say do this, don't do that, do that, no. They are free to do anything, because they learn” (girl’s mom)

Toys & Objects

• Toys have an important role in children’s play

• Children can turn almost any object into a toy

• Children use objects from their environment

• Children are free to try new combinations

• Independent and creative thought Cohen, 2006; Smith & Pellgrini, 2008

“So I put all the plastic bowls in the lower cupboards, so that if he wants to play he can play,

nothing can hurt him”(girl’s mom)

Differences Between Canada & India

• Sense of community

• Feeling isolated

• Other children to play with

• “Play dates”

• Presence of other adults

• Influence of the western society

• Outdoor play

“In Canada people raise their own kids, but in India other people raise your kids” (girl’s mom)

Thank You!

Maya Goldstein

goldmaya@gmail.com

http://issuu.com/bcfamilies/docs/familyconnections_spring_2012