Child, Family, and Neighborhood Associations with Parent and Peer Interactive Play During Early Childhood

To examine national patterns of peer and parent interactive play opportunities that enhance early learning/socialization.
Bivariate and multivariable analyses of cross-sectional data on 22,797 children aged 1–5 years from the National Survey of
Children’s Health 2007 were performed to determine the child, family, and neighborhood factors associated with four parent-initiated
activities. Outcomes measures included time (days/week) children spent: participating in peer play; being read to; sung to/told
stories; and taken on family outings. Covariates included race/ethnicity, poverty, TV watching, childcare, child and maternal
physical and mental health, family factors (structure, size, language, stress, education), and neighborhood factors (amenities,
support, physical condition, safety). According to adjusted regression models, minority children from lower income, non-English-speaking
households with limited education, poorer maternal health and greater parenting stress were read to/told stories less than
children without these characteristics, while neighborhood factors exerted less influence. In contrast, significant reductions
in days/week of peer play were associated with unsupportive neighborhoods and those with the poorest physical conditions and
limited amenities. Likewise, reductions in outings were associated with fewer neighborhood amenities. The findings of this
study indicate that a variety of child, family, and neighborhood factors are associated with parent-initiated behaviors such
as reading, storytelling, peer interactive play, and family outings. Appropriate evidence-based home visiting interventions
targeting child health, parenting skills, early childhood education, and social services in at-risk communities would appear
to be appropriate vehicles for addressing such parent-initiated play activities that have the potential to enhance development.