TY - JOUR

T1 - The potential of structured active play for social and personal development in preschoolers during cancer treatment

T2 - a qualitative RePlay study

AU - Pouplier, Anna

AU - Kaj Fridh, Martin

AU - Christensen, Jan

AU - Ruiz-Molsgaard, Helena

AU - Høyer, Amalie

AU - Schmidt-Andersen, Peter

AU - Winther, Helle

AU - Larsen, Hanne Bækgaard

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - AimTo explore the potential of a structured active play intervention to promote social and personal development in preschoolers during cancer treatment.DesignA hermeneutic-phenomenological inspired explorative study.MethodsParticipant observations were conducted on 15 consecutively sampled children (aged 1–5 years) from April 2021 to April 2022. Observations were written as narrative scenic descriptions from field notes and were analysed inspired by hermeneutic-phenomenological analysis and using a thematic analysis structure.ResultsObservations were carried out during 67 group or individual structured active play sessions, resulting in 129 scenic descriptions. Observations of the children's emotional, verbal and bodily expressions and social interactions resulted in three main themes: (1) wanting to play, (2) gaining confidence in movement and (3) being part of a group. The findings showed how children, irrespective of age and the severity of their illness, wanted to play and expressed joy of movement. The children's daily physical state fluctuated and influenced their motivation to participate as well as their confidence in their physical abilities. Through structured active play and with support from their parents and healthcare professionals, the children had successful movement experiences and regained confidence in movement, supporting their personal development. Playing together with other children and accompanied by their parents, healthcare professionals supported the children's opportunities to practice social skills, such as turn-taking, waiting and taking charge. Familiarity, recognizability and fun were key motivational components for the children.ConclusionParticipating in structured active play during treatment has the potential to promote personal and social development in preschoolers with cancer. Parents play a crucial role in supporting the participation of their children.

AB - AimTo explore the potential of a structured active play intervention to promote social and personal development in preschoolers during cancer treatment.DesignA hermeneutic-phenomenological inspired explorative study.MethodsParticipant observations were conducted on 15 consecutively sampled children (aged 1–5 years) from April 2021 to April 2022. Observations were written as narrative scenic descriptions from field notes and were analysed inspired by hermeneutic-phenomenological analysis and using a thematic analysis structure.ResultsObservations were carried out during 67 group or individual structured active play sessions, resulting in 129 scenic descriptions. Observations of the children's emotional, verbal and bodily expressions and social interactions resulted in three main themes: (1) wanting to play, (2) gaining confidence in movement and (3) being part of a group. The findings showed how children, irrespective of age and the severity of their illness, wanted to play and expressed joy of movement. The children's daily physical state fluctuated and influenced their motivation to participate as well as their confidence in their physical abilities. Through structured active play and with support from their parents and healthcare professionals, the children had successful movement experiences and regained confidence in movement, supporting their personal development. Playing together with other children and accompanied by their parents, healthcare professionals supported the children's opportunities to practice social skills, such as turn-taking, waiting and taking charge. Familiarity, recognizability and fun were key motivational components for the children.ConclusionParticipating in structured active play during treatment has the potential to promote personal and social development in preschoolers with cancer. Parents play a crucial role in supporting the participation of their children.

U2 - 10.1111/jan.15923

DO - 10.1111/jan.15923

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37950393

VL - 80

SP - 1607

EP - 1618

JO - Journal of Advanced Nursing

JF - Journal of Advanced Nursing

SN - 0309-2402

IS - 4

ER -