The Relationship between Play Preferences in Preschool Age and Academic Motivation in Adolescents: A Retrospective Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Play during preschool years is a leading activity in the process of which the growth of the main developmental formations of preschool age occurs. However, the role of play in further ages is not studied enough. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of types of play and parental involvement in play during preschool years to academic motivation in adolescence applying the retrospective method. The study involved 348 adolescents aged 15 to 18 years. For the estimation of the academic motivation was used the “Scales of Academic Motivation in School Age Children”. To retrospectively evaluate the play experiences of adolescents the special questionnaire was composed. It includes the questions about types of play an adolescent was involved in his childhood, about social aspect of play activities and parental participation in play at preschool age. According to the results, constructive games in preschool is associated with both intrinsic and extrinsic academic motivation in adolescence. Digital games are linked to higher levels of external motivation in adolescence. Play with parents during preschool years is associated with lower levels of external motivation and amotivation in adolescents. The findings of this study underscore the importance of play at preschool age and the essential role of parental involvement in play activities with children.
Source: Education & Self Development
DOI: 10.26907/esd.21.3.08
Institutions: Lomonosov Moscow State University, Altai State University
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7222865197