Parent Play Beliefs

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* 1. What is your gender?

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* 2. What is your age group

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* 3. What is your highest level of education you have completed to date

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* 4. How many children do you have?

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* 5. Do you belong to any religion?

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* 6. Which religion?

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* 7. What is your ethnic or cultural background?

Please answer the following questions in relation to one of your children who attends this school.

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* 8. What is your child's gender?

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* 9. What class is your child in?

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* 10. In choosing this school how important were the following factors

  Very important Somewhat important Not very important Not important at all
It is the local school
His/her sisters/brothers attend
His/her friends attend
Good reputation of the school
Gender mix
Ethos (Catholic school)
Other reason

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* 11. In an average week how many times is your child involved in screen time (screen time includes TV, DVD's, computers, Ipads, smart phones, Play Station, Xbox, electronic games)?

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* 12. In your opinion is this time well spent?

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* 13. In an average week how many times is your child involved in outdoor play (chasing, climbing, skating, riding a bike, playing with a ball etc)?

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* 14. In your opinion is this time well spent?

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* 15. In an average week how many times is your child involved in pretend play (for example playing mammies and daddies, dressing-up, playing with dolls or teddies, make-believe play)?

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* 16. In your opinion is this time well spent?

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* 17. In an average week please list the organised activities, lessons, your child attends (for example swimming lessons, GAA, Drama lessons, ballet lessons, Karate lessons etc)

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* 18. In your opinion is this time well spent?

Parent Playtime Thoughts
We would like you to think about your child's playtime experiences with you and with other children. Play can be imaginative, fantasy, creative, make-believe dressing up play. Play might also be with objects like tea-sets, dolls figures etc. Outdoor play can include chasing games, ball games, sand and mud play, and construction play with bricks and sticks, making dens and climbing trees. The following questions are from an American study that we would like to replicate in an Irish setting. 

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* 19. How much do you agree or disagree with each sentence about play for your child?

  Disagree Somewhat Disagree Somewhat Agree Agree Very much agree
Play can help my child develop social skills, such as co-operating and making friends.
Play does not help my child learn academic skills like counting or recognising letters.
It is important for me to participate in play with my child.
I have a lot of fun with my child when we play together.
Play can improve my child's language and communication abilities.
I would rather read with my child than play together.
I can teach my child social skills during play.
Play does not influence my child's ability to solve problems.
I can help my child learn to control his or her emotions during play.
Playing at home will help my child get ready for school.
My child will get more out of play if I play with him or her.
Play can help my child develop better thinking abilities.
It is more important for my child to have good academic skills than to play well with other children.
Playtime is not a high priority in my home.
Playing with my child is one of my favourite things to do.

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* 20. Again how much do you agree or disagree with each sentence about play for your child?

  Disagree Somewhat Disagree Somewhat Agree Agree Very much Agree
If I take time to play with my child, s/he will be better at playing with other children.
Reading to my child is more worthwhile than playing with him or her.
My child does not enjoy playing with me.
I do not think it is very important for other family members to play with my child.
My child will learn more if I allow him or her to play without me.
Play helps my child learn how to express his or her feelings.
Playing with my child is more useful than teaching letters and numbers
Play is a fun activity for my child.
Playing together helps me build a good relationship with my child. 
I do not think my child learns important skills by playing.
My child does not need my help to deal with his or her emotions during play.
My child gets too excited during play.
My child has a lot of fun when we play together. 
Through play, my child develops new skills and abilities.
Playing at home helps children get ready for school.

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