Journals / Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 78

Fathers’ play beliefs and play participation as predictors of children’s playfulness

Babaların oyun inançları ve oyuna katılımının çocukların oyun eğilimini yordamadaki rolü

Pages
50–71
Publication Date
2026-04-30
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicated that fathers’ play participation positively predicted children’s playfulness and emerged as the strongest predictor.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The aim of this study was to examine the roles of fathers’ play participation, play-related beliefs, and demographic characteristics in predicting preschool children’s playfulness.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The participants consisted of 231 father-child dyads with preschool-aged children living in Denizli, a city located in southwestern Türkiye.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicated that fathers’ play participation positively predicted children’s playfulness and emerged as the strongest predictor.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:okul öncesi çocuklar · oyun eğilimi · baba

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the roles of fathers’ play participation, play-related beliefs, and demographic characteristics in predicting preschool children’s playfulness. The participants consisted of 231 father-child dyads with preschool-aged children living in Denizli, a city located in southwestern Türkiye. Data were collected using the Parent Play Participation Scale, the Play Beliefs Scale, the Children’s Playfulness Scale, and a demographic information form. Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships among the variables. The findings indicated that fathers’ play participation positively predicted children’s playfulness and emerged as the strongest predictor. In addition, fathers’ play participation differed according to perceived income level and fathers’ age, with lower levels of participation observed among fathers with lower income and those of older age.

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı, babaların oyuna katılımı, oyuna ilişkin inançları ve demografik özelliklerinin okul öncesi dönem çocuklarının oyun eğilimini yordamadaki rollerini incelemektir. Araştırmanın katılımcılarını, Denizli’de yaşayan okul öncesi yaş grubundaki 231 baba–çocuk çifti oluşturmaktadır. Veriler, Ebeveyn Oyun Katılım Ölçeği, Oyuna İlişkin İnançlar Ölçeği, Çocuklar için Oyun Eğilimi Ölçeği ve demografik bilgi formu aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Değişkenler arasındaki ilişkileri incelemek amacıyla Pearson korelasyon analizi ve hiyerarşik regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, babaların oyuna katılımının çocukların oyun eğilimini pozitif yönde yordadığını ve en güçlü yordayıcı olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca, babaların oyuna katılımının algılanan gelir düzeyi ve baba yaşı açısından farklılaştığı; düşük gelir düzeyine sahip ve daha ileri yaşta olan babalarda oyuna katılımın daha düşük olduğu belirlenmiştir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Özdemir, A. A., Dede, Ö. (2026). Fathers’ play beliefs and play participation as predictors of children’s playfulness. Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, Sayı: 78, 50–71. https://doi.org/10.21764/maeuefd.1883837

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (142)

  1. Adak Özdemir, A., Tok, E., Harmandar Ergül, D., & Özcan, Ö. (2025). Does maternal play participation foster playfulness in children? The mediating role of positive parent–child relationships. Early Child Development and Care, 195 (15–16), 1628–1650. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2025.2605121
  2. Akgöz Aktaş, G., & Ebeoğlu Duman, M. (2025). Babaların gözünden baba katılımı ve ebeveynlik rolleri: Nitel bir çalışma. Pamukkale University Journal of Social Sciences Institute (68), 219-240. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1543038
  3. Altan, S., & Tarhan, S. (2018). Büyükanneden toruna: yaşam boyu öğrenme sürecinde değer ve beceri aktarımı. Bartın University Journal of Educational Research, 2(1), 26-42.
  4. Altenburger, L. E., Schoppe-Sullivan, S. J., & Dush, C. M. K. (2018). Associations between maternal gatekeeping and fathers' parenting quality. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 2678–2689. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1107-3
  5. Ahnert, L., Teufl, L., Ruiz, N., Piskernik, B., Supper, B., Remiorz, S., … Nowacki, K. (2017). Father-child physical play during the preschool years and child internalizing behaviors: Between robustness and vulnerability. Infant Mental Health Journal, 743–756. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21679
  6. Amodia-Bidakowska, A., Laverty, C., & Ramchandani, P. G. (2020). Father-child play: A systematic review of its frequency, characteristics and potential impact on children’s development. Developmental Review, 57, 100924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2020.100924
  7. Arslan, Z. G., & Demircioğlu, H. (2024). Baba Katılımına Sosyodemografik Değişkenler ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Perspektifi Üzerinden Yaklaşım. Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 10(1), 39-58. https://doi.org/10.31592/aeusbed.1344238
  8. As Çiftçi, İ. (2022). Oyun davranışı ve baba tutumları arasındaki ilişkinin bazı demografik değişkenler üzerinden incelenmesi (Yüksek Lisans Tezi), İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü, İstanbul, Türkiye.
  9. Ashiabi, G. S. (2007). Play in the preschool classroom: Its socioemotional significance and the teacher’s role in play. Early Childhood Education Journal, 35(2), 199–207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-007-0165-8
  10. Ayta, F., & Şen, M. (2023). Türkiye’de kadın istihdamının genel görünümü: İstihdamın artırılması kapsamında seçilmiş ülke örnekleri. Uluslararası Ekonomi ve Yenilik Dergisi, 9(2), 421-454. https://doi.org/10.20979/ueyd.1327737
  11. Babuç, Z. T. (2015). Exploring parental perceptions and preferences about play: A case study in Erzurum. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 197, 2417–2424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.07.304
  12. Barcala-Delgado, D. I., & Perry-Jenkins, M. (2025). Father engagement in low-income families: The role of workplace characteristics and gender roles. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 46, 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-024-10025-5
  13. Barnett, L. A. (2018). The education of playful boys: Class clowns in the classroom. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 232. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00232
  14. Bay, D. N. (2021). Playfulness of pre-school children in Turkey. International Online Journal of Primary Education, 10(1), 119–136. https://izlik.org/JA39BL95LX
  15. Beyenal, S. (2019). Kamuda çalışan annelerin ev-iş-sosyal yaşamı üzerinde etkili olan dinamikler. PESA Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 5(3), 228–240. https://doi.org/10.25272/j.2149-8385.2019.5.3.02
  16. Gözüm, P. (2024). Türkiye’de kadın istihdamı: Sorunlar ve fırsatlar. Bitlis Eren Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 2(1), 109–125. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/bersad
  17. Biber, K. (2016). Perceptions of father involvement among Turkish fathers with pre-school children. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 4(6), 115–126. http://dx.doi.org/10.11114/jets.v4i6.1376
  18. Bocknek, E. L., Dayton, C., Raveau, H. A., Richardson, P., Brophy-Herb, H. E., & Fitzgerald, H. E. (2017). Routine active playtime with fathers is associated with self-regulation in early childhood. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 63(1), 105–134. https://doi.org/10.13110/merrpalmquar1982.63.1.0105
  19. Bozdemir, B. (2023). Erken çocukluk dönemindeki çocukların oynama eğilimleri ile psikolojik dayanıklılıkları arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi (Yüksek lisans tezi). Mersin Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Mersin, Türkiye.
  20. Bozok, M. (2018). Türkiye’de ataerkillik, kapitalizm ve erkeklik ilişkilerinde biçimlenen babalık. Fe Journal: Feminist Critique, 10(2), 30–42. https://doi.org/10.46655/federgi.676599
  21. Cabrera, N. J., & Roggman, L. (2017). Father play: Is it special? Infant Mental Health Journal, 38(6), 706–708. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21680
  22. Cabrera, N., Fitzgerald, H., Bradley, R., & Roggman, L. (2014). The ecology of father–child relationships: An expanded model. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 6, 336–354. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12054
  23. Caughy, M. O., Brinkley, D. Y., Smith, E. P., & Owen, M. T. (2020). Fathering quality in early childhood and kindergarten achievement in low-income racial–ethnic minority children. Journal of Family Psychology, 34(2), 215–225. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000611
  24. Choi, Y., & Lim, J. (2021). Structural relationship among parent’s play participation, young children’s playfulness, self-regulation and happiness. Human Ecology Research, 59(1), 71–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.6115/fer.2021.006
  25. Cope, A. (2024). Father-son play interactions and the influence of traditional masculinity ideology (Doctoral dissertation, Long Island University, Brooklyn).
  26. Creighton, G., Brussoni, M., Oliffe, J., & Olsen, L. (2015). Fathers on child’s play: Urban and rural Canadian perspectives. Men and Masculinities, 18(5), 559–580. https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X14562610
  27. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
  28. Çorapçı, F., Beşpınar, F. U., Çetin, R. F., & Sümer, N. (2025). Changes and continuities in intergenerational fathering in Türkiye. Infant and Child Development, 34(3), e70021. https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.70021
  29. Damar, M. (2022). Investigation of the fathers’ time spending together with their children. International Journal of Quality in Education, 5(2), 1–15. https://izlik.org/JA53JR33MZ
  30. DiBianca Fasoli, A. (2014). To play or not to play: Diverse motives for Latino and Euro‐American parent–child play in a children’s museum. Infant and Child Development, 23(6), 605–621. https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.1867
  31. Demir Öztürk, E., & Belgin Aksoy, A. (2019). The effects of the play-based father–infant interaction programme on father and infant behaviour. Education and Science, 45(201), 425–442. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2019.8012
  32. Dicle, A. N. (2024). Baba destek eğitim programının baba katılımına etkisi. Social Sciences Studies Journal, 4(26), 5687–5696. http://dx.doi.org/10.26449/sssj.1031
  33. Dumont, C., & Paquette, D. (2013). What about the child's tie to the father? A new insight into fathering, father–child attachment, children's socio-emotional development and theory. Early Child Development and Care, 183, 430–446. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2012.711592
  34. Duss, I., Ruedisueli, C., Wustmann Seiler, C., & Lannen, P. (2024). Development of playfulness in children with low executive functions: The role of parental playfulness and parental playtime with their child. Behavioral Sciences, 14(7), 542.https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070542
  35. Edwards, C. P. (2000). Children’s play in cross-cultural perspective: A new look at the six cultures study. Cross-Cultural Research, 34(4), 318–338. https://doi.org/10.1177/106939710003400402
  36. Erbay, F., & Saltalı, N. D. (2012). Altı yaş çocuklarının günlük yaşantılarında oyunun yeri ve annelerin oyun algısı. Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Kırşehir Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi (KEFAD), 13(2), 249-264. https://izlik.org/JA98ZL44BL
  37. Erdem, G., Adli-Isleyen, M., Baltalarlı, N., & Kılıç, E. (2022). Low-income Turkish mothers’ conceptions and experiences of family life. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 756278. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.756278
  38. Eren, Y. E., & Şavran, T. G. (2024). Baba olmanın yeni biçimleri: Korunan ve dönüşen yönler üzerine nitel bir inceleme. Sosyal Bilimler ve Sağlık Bülteni, 10, 14–29. https://izlik.org/JA98ZL44BL
  39. Erol, A., Canbeldek, M., & Işıkoğlu, N. (2023). Babaların çocuklarına yönelik algısı: İlk babalık deneyimleri. Sosyal Politika Çalışmaları Dergisi, 23(59), 357–387. https://doi.org/10.21560/spcd.vi.1218406
  40. Ertör, E., & Tezel Şahin, F. (2023). Little pitchers have big ears: Father’s participation in child’s life through children’s eyes. Erken Çocukluk Çalışmaları Dergisi, 7(2), 179–200. https://doi.org/10.24130/eccdjecs.1967202372504
  41. Evans, D. K., & Jakiela, P. (2025). The role of fathers in promoting early childhood development in low- and middle-income countries: A review of the evidence. The World Bank Research Observer, 40(2). Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/wbro/lkae009
  42. Fagan, J., Day, R., Lamb, M. E., & Cabrera, N. J. (2014). Should researchers conceptualize differently the dimensions of parenting for fathers and mothers? Journal of Family Theory & Review, 6, 390–405. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12044
  43. Fink, E., Mareva, S., & Gibson, J. L. (2020). Dispositional playfulness in young children: A cross-sectional and longitudinal examination of the psychometric properties of a new child self-reported playfulness scale and associations with social behaviour. Infant and Child Development, 29(4), e2181. https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.2181
  44. Flanders, J. L., Simard, M., Paquette, D., Parent, S., Vitaro, F., Pihl, R. O., & Séguin, J. R. (2010). Rough-and-tumble play and the development of physical aggression and emotion regulation: A five-year follow-up study. Journal of Family Violence, 25, 357–367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-009-9297-
  45. Fogle, L. M., & Mendez, J. L. (2006). Assessing the play beliefs of African American mothers with preschool children. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 21(4), 507–518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2006.08.002
  46. Freeman, H., Newland, L. A., & Coyl, D. D. (2008). Father beliefs as a mediator between contextual barriers and father involvement. Early Child Development and Care, 178(7–8), 803–819. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430802352228
  47. Fuertes, M., Fernandes, I., Azevedo, A. R., Morais, I., Tadeu, B., & Tempera, T. (2025). What do adults learn through play regarding interactions and communication with children? European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 33(1), 36–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293x.2024.2332456
  48. Fung, W. K., & Chung, K. K. H. (2022). Parental play supportiveness and kindergartners’ peer problems: Children’s playfulness as a potential mediator. Social Development, 31(4), 1126–1137. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1111/sode.12603
  49. Garcia, I. L., Fernald, L. C., Aboud, F. E., Otieno, R., Alu, E., & Luoto, J. E. (2022). Father involvement and early child development in a low-resource setting. Social Science & Medicine, 302, 114933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114933
  50. Gauthier, A. H., & DeGusti, B. (2012). The time allocation to children by parents in Europe. International Sociology, 27, 827–845. https://doi.org/10.1177/0268580912443576
  51. Greenfield, P. M. (2016). Social change, cultural evolution, and human development. Current Opinion in Psychology, 8, 84–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.10.012
  52. Giallo, R., Treyvaud, K., Cooklin, A., & Wade, C. (2013). Mothers’ and fathers’ involvement in home activities with their children: Psychosocial factors and the role of parental self-efficacy. Early Child Development and Care, 183(3–4), 343–359. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2012.711587
  53. Ginsburg, K. R. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent–child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182–191. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-2697
  54. Göncü, A. (2001). The role of parental involvement in children’s play. In A. Göncü & E. Klein (Eds.), Children in play, story and school (pp. 105–121). Guilford Press.
  55. Graziano, P. A., Bagner, D. M., Slavec, J., et al. (2015). Feasibility of intensive parent–child interaction therapy (I-PCIT): Results from an open trial. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 37, 38–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-014-9435-0
  56. Gregory, J., Kivisto, K. L., Perdue, N. H., & Estell, D. B. (2019). Father–child play, child emotional dysregulation, and adolescent internalizing symptoms: A longitudinal multiple mediation analysis. Development and Psychopathology, 31(4), 1325–1338. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579418000767
  57. Grossmann, K., Grossmann, K. E., Fremmer-Bombik, E., Kindler, H., Scheuerer-Englisch, H., & Zimmermann, P. (2002). The uniqueness of the child–father attachment relationship: Fathers’ sensitive and challenging play as a pivotal variable in a 16-year longitudinal study. Social Development, 11(3), 301–337. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9507.00202
  58. Gülen, S., & Barış, S. (2021). Ebeveynlerin çocuklarıyla oyun oynamama nedenlerinin incelenmesi. Eğitim Bilimleri https://dx.doi.org/110.30855/gjes.2021.07.01.002
  59. Hamm, E. M. (2006). Playfulness and the environmental support of play in children with and without developmental disabilities. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 26(3), 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1177/153944920602600302
  60. Ihmeideh, F. (2019). Getting parents involved in children’s play: Qatari parents’ perceptions of and engagement with their children’s play. Education 3-13, 47(1), 47-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2017.1399152
  61. Ivrendi, A., & Işıkoğlu, N. (2008). Mothers and fathers beliefs about children’s play. Çağdaş Eğitim Dergisi, 355, 4–12. http://www.tekisik.org/uploads/publications/cagdas-egitim-dergisi/2008/355.pdf
  62. İzci, B., & Jones, I. (2021). An exploratory study of Turkish fathers’ involvement in the lives of their preschool aged children. Early Years, 41(2–3), 248–261. https://doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2018.1521384
  63. Jiang, S., & Han, M. (2016). Parental beliefs on children's play: comparison among mainland Chinese, Chinese immigrants in the USA, and European-Americans. Early Child Development and Care, 186(3), 341-352. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2015.1030633
  64. Jeynes, W. H. (2016). Meta-analysis on the roles of fathers in parenting: Are they unique? Marriage & Family Review, 52, 665–688. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2016.1157121
  65. John, A., Halliburton, A., & Humphrey, J. (2013). Child–mother and child–father play interaction patterns with preschoolers. Early Child Development and Care, 183(3–4), 483–497. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2012.711595
  66. Johnson, J. E., Christie, J. F., & Wardle, F. (2005). Play, development, and early education. Pearson.
  67. Kağıtçıbaşı, C. (2012). Sociocultural change and integrative syntheses in human development: Autonomous-related self and social–cognitive competence. Child Development Perspectives, 6(1), 5–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-8606.2011.00173.x
  68. Kaplan, D., & Offer, S. (2022). Masculinity ideologies, sensitivity to masculinity threats, and fathers’ involvement in housework and childcare among U.S. employed fathers. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 23(4), 399–411. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000400
  69. Karaçelik-Varol, Ş. N., & Bekir, H. (2025). Out of the mouths of children: An investigation of 48- to 72-month-old children’s perceptions of father involvement. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 33(3), 533–551. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2024.2391975
  70. Karadeniz, G., & Kahyaoğlu Çakmakçı, H. A. (2021). Turkish fathers' play attitude with children during COVID-19 lockdown. European Journal of Education Studies, 8(2).http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v8i2.3572
  71. Karadeniz, G., & Kaya, B. N. (2025). Babalık rolü algısı ile babanın katılımı arasındaki ilişkilerin baba–çocuk oyununa yansımaları. Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi, 8(1), 71–95. https://doi.org/10.33708/ktc.1509129
  72. Keleş, S., & Yurt, Ö. (2017). An investigation of playfulness of pre-school children in Turkey Early Child Development and Care, 187(8), 1372–1387. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2016.1169531
  73. Kılıç, S., & Şenol, D. (2025). Geleneksel babalıktan yeni babalığa; babaların çocuk bakımına katılımı. Ankara Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 16(1), 166–181. https://izlik.org/JA39DF79SA
  74. Kim, M. J., & Lee, K. N. (2011). Effects of infants’ and toddlers’ temperament and mothers’ parenting self-efficacy on parenting behavior. Journal of Korean Child Care and Education, 7, 253–271.
  75. Kisbu, Y., Akçinar, B., Kuşcul, G. H., Bozok, M., Turunç, G., & Fişek, G. (2023). Protective and risk factors associated with involved fatherhood in a traditional culture. Family Relations, 72(1), 294–324. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12679
  76. Kokkinaki, T. (2019). Structural variations, quantitative differences and similarities between maternal and paternal infant-directed speech. Early Child Development and Care, 189(12), 1925–1942. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2017.1423482
  77. Köksal Akyol, A., Taştepe, T., Aydos, S., & Yavuz, E. C. (2017). Erken çocukluk dönemindeki çocukların oyunlarında babanın rolü. SOBİDER: Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 4(12), 445–458. http://dx.doi.org/10.16990/SOBIDER.3532
  78. Kumru, A., Edwards, C. P., & Gülseven, Z. (2017). Oyun, kültür ve toplumsal cinsiyet. In A. Dost-Gözkan, N. Kafescioğlu, & D. Tahiroğlu (Eds.), Gelişim psikolojisi ve terapi perspektifinden oyun (p. 148-178). Özyeğin Üniversitesi Yayınları.
  79. Kurt, S. H., & Ozgun, O. (2024). Perceptions of play among mothers and fathers from low-income households in Türkiye. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 33, 3559-3573. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02930-y
  80. Lamb, M. (Ed.). (1986). The father's role: Applied perspectives. John Wiley & Sons.
  81. Lin, X., & Li, H. (2018). Parents’ play beliefs and engagement in young children’s play at home. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 26(2), 161–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2018.1441979
  82. Lin, X., Li, H., & Yang, W. (2020). You reap what you sow: Profiles of Chinese fathers’ play beliefs and their relation to young children’s developmental outcomes. Early Education and Development, 31(3), 426–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2019.1652444
  83. Lin, X., Xie, S., & Li, H. (2019). Chinese mothers’ and fathers’ involvement in toddler play activity: Type variations and gender differences. Early Child Development and Care, 189(2), 179–190. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2018.1542529
  84. Liu, C., Harrist, A. W., Cookston, J. T., & Carrillo, S. (2025). How parents play: Play style as a function of gender of parent, gender of child, and play context. Journal of Family Issues, 46(3), 435–463. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X241263782
  85. MacDougall, K., Beyene, Y., & Nachtigall, R. D. (2012). Inconvenient biology: Advantages and disadvantages of first-time parenting after age 40 using in vitro fertilization. Human Reproduction, 27(4), 1058–1065. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/des007
  86. Memiş, K, & Gürsoy F. (2022). Annelerin oyun ve oyun materyallerine ilişkin düşünceleri ile çocuğuyla etkileşimli oyun oynama davranışlarının incelenmesi. İstanbul Gelişim Üniversity Journal of Healt Sciences, 17 (2), 540–557. https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.1001354
  87. Menashe, A., & Atzaba-Poria, N. (2016). Parent–child interaction: Does parental language matter? British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 34(4), 518–537. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjdp.12147
  88. Menashe-Grinberg, A., & Atzaba-Poria, N. (2017). Mother–child and father–child play interaction: The importance of parental playfulness as a moderator of the links between parental behavior and child negativity. Infant Mental Health Journal, 38(6), 772–784. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21678
  89. Meteyer, K., & Perry-Jenkins, M. (2010). Father involvement among working-class, dual-earner couples. Fathering, 8, 379–404. https://doi.org/10.3149/fth.0803.379
  90. Mills-Koonce, W. R., Willoughby, M. T., Zvara, B., Barnett, M., Gustafsson, H., Cox, M. J., & The Family Life Project Investigators. (2015). Mothers’ and fathers’ sensitivity and children’s cognitive development in low-income, rural families. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 38, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2015.01.001
  91. Monteiro Maia, A. S., Pereira, M. M. C. E., Amaro, J. M. C., et al. (2025). Balancing work and parenthood: A comparative analysis of policies across European countries. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 34, 3081–3094. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-025-03194-w
  92. Moon-Seo, S. K., Munsell, S. E., & Kim, N. (2024). Mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of children’s play. Early Childhood Education Journal, 52, 373–385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-022-01439-7
  93. Newland, L. A., Coyl, D. D., & Freeman, H. (2013). Predicting preschoolers' attachment security from fathers' involvement, internal working models, and use of social support. In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), Men in the lives of young children (pp. 122–138). Routledge.
  94. Norman, H., Elliot, M., & Fagan, C. (2014). Which fathers are the most involved in taking care of their toddlers in the UK? An investigation of the predictors of paternal involvement. Community, Work and Family, 17(2), 163–180. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2013.862361
  95. Norman, H., Elliot, M., & Fagan, C. (2018). Does fathers’ involvement in childcare and housework affect couples’ relationship stability? Social Science Quarterly, 99(5), 1599–1613. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.12523
  96. Norman H., Elliot M. (2015). Measuring paternal involvement in childcare and housework. Sociological Research Online, 20(2), 40–57. https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.3590
  97. Olsavsky, A. L., Berrigan, M. N., Schoppe-Sullivan, S. J., Brown, G. L., & Dush, C. M. K. (2020). Paternal stimulation and father–infant attachment. Attachment & Human Development, 22(1), 15–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2019.1589057
  98. Önem, A., & Erden Özcan, S. (2023). Güvenli ve güvensiz bağlanan çocukları olan babaların çalışma ve tatil günlerinde çocuklarla geçirdikleri zamana ilişkin deneyimlerinin araştırılması. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 52(3), 850–879. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1291576
  99. Özdemir, Y., Sağkal, A. S., Salman-Engin, S., Çevik, A. Ç., & Gür, G. (2020). Türkiye’de birlikte ebeveynlik deneyimleri: Nitel bir çalışma. Nesne, 8(16), 43–48. https://doi.org/10.7816/nesne-08-16-04
  100. Öztop, H., Pekmezci, P., & Misirlioğlu, C. (2021). The child rearing roles and responsibilities of women in terms of gender. In F. Özsungur (Ed.), Handbook of research on policies, protocols, and practices for social work in the digital World (pp. 411-426). IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
  101. Özyeşer Cinel, N., & Tezel Şahin, F. (2021). Babaların kendilerinin ve babalarının babalık rollerine bakış açılarının incelenmesi. Uluslararası Beşeri Bilimler ve Eğitim Dergisi, 7(15), 107–129. https://izlik.org/JA23BT26MY
  102. Özyürek, A., Şalcı, O., Mamiyev, D., … Çekiç, İ. (2018). Okul öncesi eğitimde baba katılımının öğretmen görüşlerine göre değerlendirilmesi. Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education, 31(2), 613–631. https://doi.org/10.19171/uefad.505618
  103. Paquette, D. (2004). Theorizing the father–child relationship: Mechanisms and developmental outcomes. Human Development, 47, 193–219. https://doi.org/10.1159/000078723
  104. Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
  105. Pekel-Uludağlı, N. (2024). The role of father involvement in child development: The relationships with maternal, paternal, and child characteristics. Current Psychology, 43, 4085–4097. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04649-3
  106. Pinchover, S., Shulman, C., & Bundy, A. (2016). A comparison of playfulness of young children with and without autism spectrum disorder in interactions with their mothers and teachers. Early Child Development and Care 186(12), 1893-1906. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2015.1136622
  107. Piskernik, B., & Ruiz, N. (2020). Measurement, structural, and functional invariance of parent–child play quality coding across multiple games and parent gender. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 17(1), 156–164. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2018.1480935
  108. Rentzou, K. (2014). Preschool children's social and nonsocial play behaviours: Measurement and correlations with children's playfulness, behaviour problems and demographic characteristics. Early Child Development and Care, 184(4), 633–647. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2013.806496
  109. Roopnarine, J. L., & Yildirim, E. D. (2018). Paternal and maternal engagement in play, storytelling, and reading in five Caribbean countries: Associations with preschoolers’ literacy skills. International Journal of Play, 7(2), 132–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/21594937.2018.1496000
  110. Roopnarine, J. L., Ong’ayi, D. M. M., & Parella, M. A. (2024). Play and early schooling across cultural communities. In R. M. Holmes & J. L. Roopnarine (Eds.), Culture, schooling, and children’s learning experiences (pp. 210–230). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/9780191982651.003.0011
  111. Roopnarine, J. L., & Wusirige. (2025). Beliefs about and engagement patterns in father–child, mother–child, and allocaregiver–child play and developmental outcomes in global majority societies. In N. Pramling, A. Farrell, C. Wallerstedt, & M. Nilsen (Eds.), Adults in play with children (International perspectives on early childhood education and development, (44). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99629-0_3
  112. Russell, A., Mize, J., & Saebel, J. (2001). Coding the social dimensions of parent–toddler play from a vertical/horizontal perspective. In P. K. Kerig & K. M. Lindahl (Eds.), Family observational coding systems: Resources for systemic research (pp. 93–109). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  113. Şalcı, O. & Ceylan, Ş. (2024). The effect of family education program on paternity role and children's play skills. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 11(1), 80-93. https://dx.doi.org/10.52380/ijpes.2024.11.1.900
  114. Schneider, M., Falkenberg, I., & Berger, P. (2022). Parent-child play and the emergence of externalizing and internalizing behavior problems in childhood: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 822394. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.822394
  115. Schoppe-Sullivan, S. J., & Fagan, L. (2020). The evolution of fathering research in the 21st century: Persistent challenges, new directions. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1), 175–197. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12645
  116. Schoppe-Sullivan, S. J., Kotila, L. E., Jia, R., Lang, S. N., & Bower, D. J. (2013). Comparisons of levels and predictors of mothers’ and fathers’ engagement with their preschool-aged children. Early Child Development and Care, 183(3–4), 498–514. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2012.711596
  117. Sethna, V., Perry, E., Domoney, J., Iles, J., Psychogiou, L., Rowbotham, N. E., … & Ramchandani, P. G. (2017). Father–child interactions at 3 months and 24 months: Contributions to children's cognitive development at 24 months. Infant Mental Health Journal, 38(3), 378–390. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21642
  118. Solter, A. J. (2013). Attachment play: How to solve children’s behavior problems with play, laughter, and connection (2nd ed.). Shining Star Press.
  119. StGeorge, J., & Freeman, E. (2017). Measurement of father–child rough-and-tumble play and its relations to child behavior. Infant Mental Health Journal, 38(6), 709–725. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21676
  120. Sunar, D., & Fişek, G. O. (2005). Contemporary Turkish families. In U. P. Gielen & J. Roopnarine (Eds.), Families in global perspective (pp. 169–183). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon
  121. Super, C. M., & Harkness, S. (2002). Culture structures the environment for development. Human Development, 45(4), 270–274. https://doi.org/10.1159/000064988
  122. Şahin Kıralp, F. S., & Ummanel, A. (2023). Examination of preschool children’s social emotional skills and resilience levels and father–child communication. Asian Journal of Instruction (E-AJI), 11(1st International Positive Schools & Well-Being Congress Special Issue), 92–110. https://doi.org/10.47215/aji.1299889
  123. Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). Pearson.
  124. Tandler, N., & Proyer, R. T. (2022). Deriving information on play and playfulness of 3–5-year-olds from short written descriptions: Analyzing the frequency of usage of indicators of playfulness and their associations with maternal playfulness. Behavioral Sciences, 12(10), 385. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12100385
  125. Teufl, L., & Ahnert, L. (2022). Parent–child play and parent–child relationship: Are fathers special? Journal of Family Psychology, 36(3), 416–426. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000933
  126. Tezel Şahin, F., Coşgun, A. A., & Kılıç, Z. N. A. (2017). Babaların çocuklarıyla vakit geçirme durumlarına ilişkin görüşlerinin incelenmesi. Gazi Üniversitesi Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 37(1), 319–345. https://izlik.org/JA82CT24NY
  127. Tükel, A., & Uzunöz, A. (2020). COVID-19 sürecinde evde oyun etkileşimli baba katılımı. Kapadokya Eğitim Dergisi, 1(2), 1–14. https://izlik.org/JA25JY26WD
  128. Uzun, H., & Baran, G. (2019). Babaların okul öncesi dönemdeki çocuklarıyla ilişkisinin bazı değişkenlere göre incelenmesi. Mersin Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 15(1), 47–60. 10.17860/mersinefd.518207
  129. Ünlü-Çetin, S. (2020). Father-child play in a public playground: Roles exhibited by fathers during their play with children. African Educational Research Journal, 8, 149–157.
  130. Ünlü-Çetin, Ş., & Olgan, R. (2018). He said, she said, but what do they say?: Young children’s perceptions of father involvement. Early Child Development and Care, 188(3), 251–263. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2016.1212190
  131. Ünlütürk, Ç. (2023). Bakım yükü kimin yükü? Türkiye’de çocuk bakım rejimi. İktisat ve Toplum Dergisi, 149, 44–56.
  132. Volling, B. L., & Cabrera, N. J. (2025). Loving, laughing, and learning: How father–child relationships contribute to children’s development in early childhood. Annual Review of Developmental Psychology, 7. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-devpsych-121020-034300
  133. Volling, B. L., & Cabrera, N. J. (2019). Advancing research and measurement on fathering and child development: I. Introducing the issues and a conceptual framework. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 84, 7–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/mono.12404
  134. Waldman-Levi, A., Cope, A., & Olson, L. (2022). Understanding father–child joint play experience using a convergent mixed-methods design. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(5), 7605205070. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.046573
  135. Wei, Y., Lei, Y., Zhou, D. et al. Relation between parental playfulness and child playfulness: mediating role of parent-child interaction. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications,12, 861 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05253-5
  136. Weisberg, D. S., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Golinkoff, R. M. (2013). Guided play: Where curricular goals meet a playful pedagogy. Mind, Brain, and Education, 7(2), 104–112. https://doi.org/10.1111/mbe.12015
  137. Whitebread, D., Basilio, M., Kuvalja, M., & Verma, M. (2012). The importance of play. Brussels: Toy Industries of Europe, 1-55.
  138. Wilson, K. R., & Prior, M. R. (2011). Father involvement and child well-being. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 47(7), 405–407. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01770.x
  139. Wu, A., Tian, Y., Chen, S., & Cui, L. (2024). Do Playful Parents Raise Playful Children? A Mixed Methods Study to Explore the Impact of Parental Playfulness on Children’s Playfulness. Early Education and Development, 35(2), 283–306. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2022.2148072
  140. Wustmann Seiler, C., Duss, I., Rüdisüli, C., & Lannen, P. (2024). Developmental trajectories of children's playfulness in two-to six-year-olds. Frontiers in Developmental Psychology, 2, 1426985. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdpys.2024.1426985
  141. Yuan, H., Yan, Z., Lei, J., et al. (2025). The mediating role of the father–child relationship on the link between fathers’ involvement and preschoolers’ social competence. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 34, 2405–2418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-025-03060-9
  142. Zhang, X. (2013). Bidirectional longitudinal relations between father–child relationships and Chinese children’s social competence during early childhood. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 28(1), 83–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2012.06.005