Changes in after school time use in Cyprus: play and education

This research investigated the changes in after school time use in Cyprus within the last 50 years with particular interest to the time spent playing and studying. Time diaries, where collected from 401 adults and children (6-58 years), that used to be, or were at the time of data collection students in primary schools in Cyprus. Findings indicated that children nowadays spent overall more time studying, watching T.V. and using the computer than playing after school, while play declined more than 50% in a period of less than 15 years. Time invested in such academic/cognitive activities is reported to be high at all points in time under study. Children in the past were more involved in house chores and spent more time in music and art activities than today. Results are discussed in terms of a change in values as well as the economic crisis, commonalities found in contemporary childhood across developed countries. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.