Characterization of play, sleep, and behavior in preschool-aged children

Authors

  • Raquel Lopes Bragança Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário João
  • Margarida Pinto Unidade de Saúde Familiar da Prelada, Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Porto Ocidental
  • Mayara Nogueira Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário João
  • Margarida Ferreira Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário João https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8385-5041
  • Bárbara Mota Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário João
  • Lara Lourenço Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário João
  • Fátima Pinto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v31.i1.21113

Keywords:

behavior, children, development, Pediatrics, play, sleep

Abstract

Introduction: Playing is a fundamental activity of childhood. The primary goal of this study was to characterize the playing habits of Portuguese children aged between three and five years old. The secondary goals were to investigate children’s sleeping habits, audiovisual media exposure, and behavior, as well as caregivers´ perception of these.

Material and methods: Observational study based on the application of an online questionnaire to parents and caregivers about children’s sociodemographic features, playing habits, exposure to screens, sleep, and behavior.

Results: A total of 240 questionnaires were retrieved, 58.3% (n=140) of which regarding male children. Overall, 93.9% (n=225) of children attended or had previously attended kindergarten, 56.9% (n=137) practiced at least one extracurricular activity, 64.4% (n=155) played outdoors in most days, and 80.9% (n=194) played with their peers. Most caregivers (68.3%, n=164) daily played with their children, but 95% (n=228) would like to do it more often. Free play was preferred among children (64%, n=154). Most children (77.4%, n=186) had contacted with audiovisual media before the age of 18 months. Most caregivers (89.6%, n=215) considered that their children slept well, with 27.4% (n=66) acknowledging that they threw frequent tantrums and 21.3% (n=51) that they were impulsive or aggressive. Most caregivers recognized the importance of playing for children. Regarding sleep habits and behavior, lower focus in quiet activities (odds ratio [OR] 4.638, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.902-11.314) and more regular tantrums (OR 2.317, 95% CI 1.022-5.250) were independent predictors of sleeping problems.

Conclusion: Free playing, frequent outdoor playing, and playing with other children stood out as protective factors of children’s physical and mental health. However, inadequate screen exposure and schedule overload with structured activities represent concerns that should be addressed in Pediatric appointments. Family-centered playful learning should be encouraged.

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Author Biography

Fátima Pinto

Posthumous work

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Published

2022-04-04

How to Cite

1.
Bragança RL, Pinto M, Nogueira M, Ferreira M, Mota B, Lourenço L, Pinto F. Characterization of play, sleep, and behavior in preschool-aged children. REVNEC [Internet]. 2022Apr.4 [cited 2025Mar.5];31(1):16-24. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nascercrescer/article/view/21113

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2022 Raquel Bragança, Ana Margarida Vaz Rodrigues Amaral Pinto, Mayara Nogueira, Margarida Vicente Ferreira, Bárbara Mota, Fátima Pinto, Lara Lourenço

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