Listening to Learners: Mexican American Adults’ Suggestions for Imaginative Play in Formal Learning Environments

• In Event: Play, Learning, and Development Across Activity Settings

Abstract

A qualitative, interview-based study with 16 (8 female) second-generation young adults of Mexican origin was conducted to determine if imaginative play has occurred throughout their lifespans and, if so, what benefits have surfaced, to what extent imaginative play has occurred in their formal learning environments, and what suggestions they have for including imaginative play in formal learning environments. All participants reported life-span engagement in imaginative play and all contended that their imaginative play has yielded developmental and educational benefits. Eight participants stated that imaginative play had occurred in their formal schooling and 14 participants offered suggestions for including imaginative play in schools. Based on these findings, the importance of life-span imaginative play for this community’s learning and development is suggested.

Authors

• Luke Perone, University of Washington - Tacoma

• Artin Goncu, University of Illinois at Chicago