Introduction: Playfulness is one of the requirements of play. Higher level of playfulness is associated with typical child development. Several factors, such as genetic, individual and environmental factors can influence the play opportunities negatively and hamper development of children. Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) as a factor in maternal and child health care is a controversial issue globally. While some medical practitioners advise pregnant women to consume beverages with alcoholic content for health reasons, the safety of any amount of alcohol use during pregnancy is still unknown.
Objectives: This study aimed to describe the levels of playfulness of children (4-6 years) who live in a semi-rural where prenatal alcohol exposure is prevalent.
Methodology: Four out of ten early childhood and development centres were selected using randomized cluster sampling. One-hundred and thirteen (n=113) consent forms were distributed amongst the schools, 90 were returned and only 14 (n=14) could be included in the study. The Test of Playfulness (ToP) was used to assess the playfulness.
Analysis: SPSS (version 5) was used to analyse Age, Gender, Exposure to PAE vs. Not Exposed to Alcohol, availability of siblings / playmates and whether parents played with children. They were described in relation to extent, intensity and skilfulness with which PAE and non PAE participants played.
Results: Alcohol exposed participants were more playful than their non-exposed
counterparts. Generally, those with PAE had higher scores for playfulness than those without.
Conclusion/Implications: These results suggest that the playfulness levels of alcohol-exposed – children are higher than non-exposed children are.