“The Best of Both Worlds”: The Work and Play Hub’s Hybrid Space Design and Community Impact

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 1:45 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Contemporary Discussions in Learning Environments Research 2 (Table 4)

Abstract

This study investigates the "Work & Play Hub," a hybrid space integrating co-working facilities with on-site childcare for children aged 0-6 years. Employing ethnographic methods, including interviews and participatory observations, the research explores how the Hub supports both parental work and early childhood education. Using the Community of Practice framework, the study reveals how the Hub fosters shared learning, play-based education, and community engagement. The study highlights the Hub’s role in reducing parental stress and promoting cognitive and social development through Montessori-inspired play stations. The findings underscore the importance of hybrid spaces in offering inclusive, diverse environments that support family needs and educational equity in a post-COVID context.

Author

• Tipsuda Chaomuangkhong, Arizona State University