Play skill levels and toy preferences of disabled children according to their mothers

Abstract

This study aims to examine the views of mothers regarding plays and toys which are of great significance also for children with intellectual retardation and learning disability. This study was conducted through a mixed method by using qualitative and quantitative methods together. Seventy-five mothers who participated in the study were chosen by using the purposive sampling method in the first stage and the random sampling method in the second stage. Data were collected through the ‘Play Skills Scale’ and ‘Mother Interview Form’. The quantitative data were analysed through Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests and qualitative data were analysed through content analysis. In the qualitative dimension of the study following themes were found; playing with the child, the toys the child plays with, whether the child has a toy he/she always plays with, and whether giving the child the right to choose when buying toys. For the quantitative dimension of the study significant difference was found between the play skill levels, disability type, giving the child the right to choose when buying toys, and toy type variables.

Keywords: Early childhood; intellectual retardation; learning disability; play; toy