CanPlay Research Laboratory

The CanPlay Lab is a research group that explores the effects of learning experiences on young children and K-12 students. We are passionate about creating equitable learning opportunities for all children.

Knowledge-Sharing Event on Young Children’s Play

In November 2024, we hosted a knowledge-sharing event at MacEwan University, marking a significant milestone in our research on loose parts play. The event brought together leaders from seven community organizations, front-line workers, and early childhood educators serving young children and families. Colleagues from the Alberta Early Childhood Educators Association (AECEA) and the Community-University Partnership (CUP) joined, along with students and faculty from MacEwan University and the University of Alberta, contributing to a focused discussion on advancing the next steps in play research. This research event is supported by MacEwan University and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Highlights

Presentation of Loose Parts Play Research Findings
Dr. Cankaya shared findings from her first study on the impact of play materials on children’s engagement. The research explored how loose parts influence children’s solitary play, considering factors such as executive function, cognitive development, and home learning environments.

Insights from Guest Speaker, Dr. Salim Hashmi
We were thrilled to welcome a visiting scholar, Dr. Salim Hashmi, from King’s College London, who presented his research on young children’s pretend play. Dr. Hashmi’s talk focused on the role of play partners and children’s interactions with technology, offering insights into supporting development through play.

Collaborative Exchange and Future Directions
The event facilitated an invaluable exchange of ideas among educators, early childhood professionals, students, and scholars. Together, we used this time to discuss future research directions informed by community needs, emphasizing collaborative goals to enhance play-based learning in early childhood education.

Ozlem and Natalia are enthusiastic about mentoring the next generation of researchers in their lab. They have mentored many undergraduate and graduate students from MacEwan University and the University of Alberta throughout the past year.

We acknowledge that the land on which we learn, work, play, and live is Treaty Six territory specifically, Amiskwaciy Waskahikan, which we also call the city of Edmonton. This place is a traditional homeland for the First Nations and Métis Peoples, and today we are all part of this treaty land.

We are committed to taking the lead of Indigenous peoples to inform our practice in education and rely on their participation, knowledge sharing, lived experiences and critical assessments to help us shape best practices for more rich environments for children and families. We commit ourselves to working in a spirit of truth and reconciliation to make a better future for all.

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