Creative and play-based interventions for culturally and linguistically diverse children: A systematic review

Many children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds may be deprived of play due to histories of conflict, stigma and language barriers. Creative and play -based interventions have the potential to protect against known risk factors through the improvement of critical developmental skills and overall wellbeing. Creative and play -based interventions is an umbrella term used to describe a range of interpretations of activities which involve interactive and voluntary play. Examples include art, music, play therapy, dance, drama or nature. This systematic literature review examined the research on creative and play -based interventions seeking to improve health and wellbeing outcomes in CALD children. Searching seven databases, seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings highlighted several interventions were effective in improving social competence, prosocial behaviour, academic outcomes, and fine motor skills. Mixed results were found on embracing diversity, post -traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), conduct and hyperactivity, and anxiety. Results showed interventions involving art were more effective in reducing depression than activities involving solely play therapy. Due to the heterogeneity of studies, it was difficult to determine if one creative or play -based was superior. This review has illuminated gaps in the current literature, including methodological issues and a lack of holistic creative and play -based interventions, such as mixed interventions and nature play interventions.