In a world brimming with responsibilities and distractions, the significance of play in the parent-child relationship often goes unnoticed. However, the innovative research of Faith Jones ‘23, titled “The Importance of Play in Parent-Child Relationships,” highlights the pivotal role that play has in shaping family dynamics and children's development.

Jones recently presented her findings at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). Undergraduate research is considered one of the most significant "high-impact practices" in higher education. According to data from the 2022 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Samford University is a leader in high-impact education.

Ninety-nine percent of Samford graduates from the class of 2022 participated in at least one high-impact practice, with 46% involved in undergraduate research. However, Jones was only one of six Samford students to be invited to the NCUR to present her research.

A graduate of the School of Education’s Department of Human Development and Family Science, Jones chose to study the role of play in the parent-child relationship because of its implications on her chosen career path.

“In my work, we use many different types of play to encourage development, coping, and mastery within children who are hospitalized,” said Jones. “Therefore, I wanted to see how including parents in more of these interventions could support attachment between children and their parents during a time when this can be challenging.”

Jones's research yielded surprising results. Her hypothesis that parents who engage in play with their children more frequently would have stronger connections with their children was not supported by the data. However, she discovered that parents who hold a positive view of play and recognize its value in their child's development tend to have stronger relationships with their children. This finding underscores the quality of play interactions over quantity, challenging the notion that more playtime necessarily equates to a stronger bond.

Jones's research also delved into the gendered aspects of parent-child play. Previous studies had compared how caregiving tasks undertaken by mothers and fathers affected the parent-child relationship. Interestingly, Jones's findings revealed that play had a more substantial impact on father-child attachment, whereas social interactions and child-rearing activities had a more significant effect on mother-child attachment. This highlights the unique role of play in fostering connections between fathers and their children.

Her research also considered how external factors, such as culture and socioeconomic status, influenced parental perceptions of play. Jones explained that while most parents wish for their children to have opportunities to play, factors like risks and costs can outweigh the benefits. For some families, limited access to safe play spaces and overwhelming parental responsibilities can hinder their ability to engage in play with their children.

Secure attachment between parents and children is also integral to positive play interactions, according to Jones. A secure attachment indicates that a child feels a greater sense of trust in their caregiver and environment. This, in turn, leads to more responsive parents who facilitate productive and positive play interactions.

“Understanding attachment styles can provide valuable insights for parents and caregivers seeking to strengthen their relationships with children,” said Jones, “play is often overlooked as a trivial part of a child's development or a mere way to occupy a child's time. However, this research sheds light on the powerful role play can create emotionally healthier children and stronger bonds within families.”

In discussing the limitations of her methodology, which used questionnaires to collect data, Jones suggested that future research could benefit from direct observation of parent-child play interactions. This approach could help reduce bias and offer a more accurate representation of how parents interact with children during play, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of parent-child play dynamics.

Jones' findings reveal that the quality and perception of play, though often disregarded, impacts the strength of parent-child bonds. Her research has implications for parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with families, providing valuable insights for building healthier and more resilient parent-child relationships. As society continues to evolve, recognizing the pivotal role of play in fostering emotional well-being and attachment is vital for the development of future generations.

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