FROM : A Home-Based Free Play Journey of Parents and Children in Hong Kong: A Narrative Inquiry Approach

Reviewer 1’s Comment

1. Would like to learn in more details if author intended to suggest Narrative inquiry as an evaluation method in evaluating the intervention on parent-children free-play. What would be his/her discussion on informing social practice esp. on the impact evaluation.

Response: It was revised by adding a short paragraph describing the contribution of this study to impact evaluation: (Page 24). This study contributed to the impact evaluation of using free play intervention on enhancing parent-child communication and bonding, promoting positive roles and identity in parent-child relationship.

2. Elaboration on the structure of narrative inquiry interview is also important for readers to learn about what narrative inquiry means. 

Response: It was revised by adding a paragraph describing the general procedure of narrative inquiry:

(Page 8)

When conducting narrative inquiry in focus group, the researcher facilitated the participants to share their stories (lived experiences) of engaging in free play with their child(ren) and constructed their stories in a way to create a coherent and temporal narrative experiences (Clandinin, 2006; 2013). This methodology also encouraged the participants and the researchers themselves in the process of listening to, constructing, and reconstructing the stories that they heard in the focus group. Therefore, researchers encouraged the participants to participate in giving comments and feedback to each story in a constructive and respectful atmosphere (Clandinin, 2006; 2013).

3. Attachment of Narrative-inquiry questions would be helpful for reader who are not familiar with this methodology.

Response: It was revised as follows:

(Page 8)

Some of the narrative-inquiry questions were added:

The interview guide was designed with reference to the literature review and addressed the research questions. Some of the narrative inquiry questions in the interview guide were as follows:

1. What were your lived experiences of engaging in free play with your child(ren) before and after joining this PLAYBAG programme? (Temporality)
2. What were your children’s feelings and your feelings about the experiences of engaging in free play with your child(ren)? What did these experiences mean to you? (Sociality)
3. What was the environment during the experiences of engaging in free play with your children? How did the environment impact the experiences? (Spatiality)

Reviewer 2’s Comment

1. I recommend including a couple of statements either in the abstract or introduction to connect the relevance of the research to social work practice.

Response: It was revised by adding paragraph in abstract as follows:

This study has made significant contributions to social work practice in three ways. Firstly, it identified four core elements for parental education in kindergartens: relating rapport, capturing moments, co-creating new experiences, and re-authoring identity. Secondly, promoting free play in community education programs is crucial, emphasizing its benefits for mental health and parent-child relationships. Lastly, social workers can collaborate with designers to create suitable materials for home-based free play.

2. There is a spelling error in the Introduction section: "Gevre" - should be Greve.

Response: It is corrected as follows:

This type of play fosters independent thinking and creative expression, distinguishing it from more structured forms of play (Gray, 2013; Greve & Thomsen, 2016; Greve et al., 2014).

3. On page 5 in Methodology section - recommend rewording "deprived families" to person first language as this sounds derogatory. Additionally, what are they allegedly deprived of?

Response: It is revised as follows:

(Page 5)

Invitations to participate in this study were sent to seven kindergartens served for the low-come families in Hong Kong. Low-income families were selected in this study because most of these families lived in small premises and could not financially afford their children to engage in social and recreational activities. Considering this, this PLAYBAG intervention would be beneficial to them.

4. On page 6 where the contents of the PLAYBAG are described: a. there is either something missing or comma errors. b. recommend clarifying what a "torch" is.

Response: It was revised as follows:

(Page 6)

4) Unstructured play materials or toys which could promote imagination & social play (pop-tube, little creatures, building blocks etc.) and exploratory & creative play (magnetic bar, flashlight, hourglass, plastic crystal ball and bell etc.).