HOW PRESCHOOL CHILDREN SPEND THEIR FREE TIME

Abstract

The research aimed to analyze how preschool
children spend their free time. Three research objectives
were outlined: identifying parents' perceptions of
preschoolers' free time, analyzing the locations where
preschool children spend their free time, and identifying
leisure activities for preschoolers, including analyzing
the gender perspective in choosing leisure options. The
participant group comprised 130 subjects, parents of
preschool children, who responded to a questionnaire.
The most selected leisure options for children were as
follows: "playgrounds equipped for children" (M=3.69;
SD=.703), "parks" in general (M=3.55; SD=1.086), and
"puppet theaters/places where children’s shows are held"
(M=2.90 SD=.939). Preferred free-time activities with
parents include: "playing various games with the child"
(M=4.30; SD=.920), "going outside to play with other
children" (M=4.18; SD=.952), and "taking walks or
going out in nature" (M=4.11 SD=.990). Outdoor
activities are favored by preschool children, regardless
of gender, while indoor activities complement these.