The Bonds of Play: A Case Study of Attachments in a Parent-Toddler Play Group for Latin American Immigrant Families in New York City
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Authors
Bass, Adriana
Issue Date
2023-05-01
Type
thesis_open
Language
Keywords
attachment , play , child development , dyadic interventions , play group , toddlers , Psychology
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Alternative Title
Child Development Theses
Abstract
A child’s relationship to their caregivers is one of the most influential factors in their lifelong development. Early caregiving patterns form scripts that shape how a child understands and interacts with the world around them. These early attachment patterns inform parenting behaviors across generations, as individuals often parent their offspring in ways shaped by their own early experiences. Central to forming parent-child relationships is the concept of play. Play has value in supporting parent-child attachments as well as revealing existing relational patterns and caregiving behaviors. The current study examines the attachment relationships of families in a parent-toddler play group in New York City. The families in the play group were from Latin American immigrant backgrounds, demonstrating intergenerational and cultural differences in play experiences from the typically studied WEIRD (Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic) populations. The current study examines the use of play-based attachment work as a culturally sensitive intervention, demonstrating the value of using play to strengthen parent-child bonds.
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