The proposed pilot study aims to address this critical gap by exploring 30 3- to 5-year-old children’s indoor LPP behaviour with their parents through qualitative and quantitative data collection and quantitative analyses. Using a pre-experimental design (12), children will be observed while playing with (I) open-ended materials (loose parts Box A) or (II) open-ended materials (loose parts Box B) or (III) single-/limited-purpose toys (control group). Our study aims to document crucial relationships between Loose Parts Play and children’s cognitive development while considering key social determinants such as gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and maternal education.

Organization: RAs should learn all aspects of the research process, including engaging in research planning tasks, assisting with data collection, scheduling, and leading team meetings.

Research: Following initial training, the RAs will participate in the following tasks: complete literature searches and reviews, recruit participants, schedule and set­up testing sessions; develop play definition and complexity coding protocols, enter and manage data, and assist in qualitative and quantitative interpretation.

Knowledge Dissemination: It is crucial that our RAs actively collaborate and engage in our educational and academic knowledge dissemination activities. The research assistants will help prepare (1) the online information session and newsletter content for parents and ELCCs, (2) academic manuscripts as co­authors, and (3) conference proposals and presenting findings (poster or oral, if applicable).

I will provide students with supports and opportunities

1. to be trained and use a standardized test

2. to manage data by MS Excel

3. to code and analyze data via Nvivo

4. to disseminate results (MacEwan Research Day, Online conferences, Workshops)

My overarching research program will incorporate training/development opportunities for emerging and established scholars, research assistants (undergraduate/graduate students), as well as community partners/practitioners who are members of the research team. In my research lab, CanPlay Lab, I will create and implement an enhanced mentoring program that includes incentives for faculty members and community partners to serve as mentors, provides mentors/mentees training on how to optimize the experience, and allows for and encourages mentoring opportunities that connect individuals from different disciplines and institutions to support the development of new perspectives and knowledge and career prospects.