A Study on Knowledge and Practice of Mothers on Play Therapy for Pre-school Children in Selected Anganwadi Centers of Doiwala, Dehradun

Pre-school period is the important and critical period of life that has critical effects on personality of an individual. In this period the children learn adaptive behaviors and effective communication skills. These skills can provide corrective emotional strategies and healing in conflicts. Play is a right for all preschool children and also an integral aspect to preschool children's development. Play therapy is an effective therapeutic intervention of emotional and behavioral difficulties. Play therapy allows pre-school children to explore their feelings, increase positive interactions with others and develop appropriate social skills using their natural form of communication.

A Quantitative research approach with Descriptive research design was used for the study to assess the knowledge and practice of mothers on play therapy for pre-school children. The population comprised of Mothers’ of Pre-school children. The study was conducted in selected Anganwadi Centers of Doiwala, Dehradun. Convenient Sampling technique was used to select the 60 subjects from the population. Self developed structured Knowledge questionnaire, self developed Practice checklist was used to assess the knowledge and practice of mothers on play therapy for pre-school children.

The results of the study shows that 35% of mothers have average knowledge and 36.66% of mothers were having poor and average practices on play therapy for pre-school children.

The study results indicate that Mothers have average knowledge, and poor and average practice on play therapy for pre-school children. There is need to improve knowledge and practice of mothers on play therapy for pre-school children.