Do you want to play doctors?’ An exploratory study of parent engagement in medical play with preschool children

Bibliographic Data

ID12725152
AuthorsShannon E Dier (0000-0001-9586-014X, Texas State University, corresponding author), Rachel B Thibodeau-Nielsen (0000-0002-0854-1317, University of Missouri)
Year2025
Volume23
Issue4
Pages494-507
Publication date2025-08-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Early Childhood Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1476-718X • E-ISSN: 1741-2927
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1476718x251363715
OpenAlexW4413303341
LanguageEN
References cited45

Medical fears are common in early childhood, and managing young children’s distress with routine healthcare encounters is essential for promoting lifelong health. Previous research suggests medical play guided by healthcare professionals reduces children’s anxiety and distress in medical settings, and medical play has been recommended as a strategy families can use at home to prevent or address medical fears. However, little is known about how parents engage with their children during play involving medical toys, equipment or themes. The present exploratory study sought to describe how parents in the United States naturally engaged in medical play with their preschool children (ages 4 and 5). Observations of 43 play sessions between parents (88% mothers) and children (51% girls, M age = 4.87 years) were video recorded during a lab visit in which families were provided with pretend play toys and invited to play as they would at home. Findings show that most parents and children chose to engage in medical play for the majority of the observation. Qualitative analysis revealed five patterns of parent engagement in medical play (play follower, play collaborator, play guide, play leader and playful instructor) which varied in amount of participation, direction and instructiveness. Given that parents are the primary support available during early healthcare encounters, implications for future research and intervention focused on medical play are discussed

Child development · Developmental psychology · Exploratory research · Pedagogy · Preschool education · Sociology · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Early Childhood Education and Development · Family and Disability Support Research · Psychology

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