Opportunities for play in six neighbourhoods: associations with kindergarten children’s social competence

This study qualitatively explored (1) whether general opportunities for play at the neighbourhood level were related to children’s social competence development, and (2) whether children’s experience in peer-led play, rather than adult-led play (again at the neighbourhood level) could further explain children’s social competence development. For the first part of this study, descriptive information was gathered on the following seven indicators of play in six British Columbian neighbourhoods: community recreational resources, children’s recreational programs, access to sports, community programs funded by the government, private recreation and sports, childcare providers, and Family Places. For the second part of this study, 24 community informants were interviewed using semi-structured interviews which covered the following seven play themes: structured, unstructured, adult-led, peer-led, access, general philosophy, and opportunities for general social interaction. Results from this study do not suggest that opportunities for play, peer- or adult-led, help explain neighbourhood levels of children’s social competence.