First Advisor

Nina Miller, PhD

Reader

Catalina Rincon, MAT: Early Childhood Education

College

Regis College

Degree Name

Master of Development Practice

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

59 pages

Abstract

From the study conducted in February 2024, 80 parents with children under the age of 6 participated in the research. 68 parents (38 women and 30 men) who participated in the survey live in Kigali city and have a bachelor’s degree or beyond. Other 12 parents, 4 men and 7 women, who participated in both focus group discussions and in a survey are parents who live in Nyarufunzo village and have a high school degree or below. This last group of parents has similarities to my village where I was born from where the majority of parents have finished primary school or have never attended school. Limited access to support and playtime were examples of challenges raised from the study. Over 75% of parents surveyed lack access to forums or professional networks for learning or sharing best practices on play-based learning and playful parenting. 50% of parents reported spending less than 30 minutes a day playing with their children, while the remaining 50% engaged in no playtime at all. Hence, this lack of parental engagement in play-based learning, at home and school, limits children’s potential in developing numeracy, literacy, and life skills. ’As a solution, I propose a play-based learning and playful parenting program. This program would equip caregivers with the knowledge and skills to engage in playful interactions with their children and assist Early Childhood Development center facilitators in integrating play-based learning activities into their curriculum. By promoting play and fostering positive parent-child interactions, this program aims to create a foundation for optimal learning and development, leading to improved educational outcomes for young children in Nyarufunzo village.

Date of Award

Summer 2024

Location (Creation)

Denver, Colo.

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

Download

Share

COinS