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Review
. 2021 Mar;47(2):143-153.
doi: 10.1111/cch.12832. Epub 2020 Dec 7.

A rapid review of the impact of quarantine and restricted environments on children's play and the role of play in children's health

Kelsey M Graber  1 , Elizabeth M Byrne  1 , Emily J Goodacre  1 , Natalie Kirby  1 , Krishna Kulkarni  1 , Christine O'Farrelly  1 , Paul G Ramchandani  1
Affiliations
Review

A rapid review of the impact of quarantine and restricted environments on children's play and the role of play in children's health

Kelsey M Graber et al. Child Care Health Dev. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is uncertainty regarding potential lasting impacts on children's health and educational outcomes. Play, a fundamental part of childhood, may be integral to children's health during crises. We undertook a rapid review of the impact of quarantine, isolation and other restrictive environments on play and whether play mitigates adverse effects of such restrictions. Fifteen peer-reviewed studies were identified, spanning hospitals, juvenile and immigration detention and refugee camps. We found evidence of changes in children's access to play in crises and quarantine. These studies indicated how play might support children enduring isolation but lacked robust investigations of play as an intervention in mitigating impacts of restriction. Studies pertaining to children in isolation due to infectious disease outbreaks were notably absent. It is important that the potential effects of changes to such a crucial aspect of childhood are better understood to support children in this and future crises.

Keywords: children; disease outbreak; isolation; mental health; play; restriction.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA flowchart [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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