Parental toy play and toddlers' socio-emotional development: The moderating role of coparenting dynamics

Abstract

This study examined the moderating role of coparenting supportiveness in the association between parental toy play and toddlers' socio-emotional development. Seventy-seven triads (mother, father, toddler) participated in the study. Coparenting dynamics and parental toy play were observed during family interaction and toddlers' socio-emotional development was reported by mothers. Results indicated that maternal toy play was positively associated with toddlers' socio-emotional development but only when this interaction occurred within a supportive coparenting context. No significant associations were observed between fathers' toy play and toddlers' socio-emotional development. This study highlights the critical role played by family dynamics in parent-child play interaction.

Keywords: Coparenting; Socio-emotional; Toddler; Toy-play; Triadic.