Our third and final entry for chapter 9 was written by Morgan. She shares some great insight into the importance of play, so enjoy!
“Play is to early childhood what gas is to a car.” This is a quote from Hirsh-Pasek and Golinkoff and it is a great example of just how important play is for children. Cars need gas to run and children need play for development. The term “play” is widely used across the globe, but what is it exactly? When asked to define the term play, how would you explain the concept? What would you say? I mean think about it, it should be a simple term to define right? Well, in reality, trying to define the term “play” is actually quite difficult because there are so many different opinions as to what play is or what it consists of. I love this chapter because the authors provide a clear and better understanding of what play is, how it influences cognitive and social development, the benefits of play, and how parents and/or caregivers can promote and influence development by interacting with their children during play.
According to researchers, there are five elements that define play, which I found very interesting. In order for play to actually be considered “play,” the activity should be found pleasurable and enjoyable, it should be spontaneous and voluntary, it must be make-believe oriented, and it should not have any extrinsic goals or no real functions (p. 210-211). This definition that is provided by the text is really the one that should be placed in dictionaries around the world because these elements could not better describe how play should be. The authors believe that children should not be forced to participate in activities that they have no desire to be a part of, and parents, caregivers, and even teachers should allow children to choose what they want to play with and how they want to play. I completely agree with this concept! There is nothing worse than being forced to participate in something that you have absolutely no desire for, especially when the activity is supposed to be fun but is quite the opposite. For example, I remember having to participate in certain so-called “play” activities in elementary school that I would almost consider torturous because they were absolutely boring; they weren’t creative activities in any way, and there was a always a right or wrong way to do something. I also remember that during recess time, we would get into trouble for making up certain games or get in trouble for using play equipment “inappropriately.” This is not considered play! Play should not have any specific outcome or meaning, it should derive from choice and free-will, and most of all, it should be fun and open-minded; play should be creative and free!
“The level of children’s play rises when adults play with them” (p.208) and play is also an excellent way for children to better develop their cognitive and social skills. Adults, especially parents and teachers, have an enormous amount of influence on how a child learns through play, and the interaction of adults with children stimulates more brain activity and mental development. Cognitively, the activity of play helps children to develop better attention spans, problem solving skills, inner speech, mathematical skills, and creativity. On the other hand, socially, play helps children develop the skills needed to interact with one another, communicate verbally and symbolically with one another, and work together as a team. Socially, play also really assists in children’s language development and vocabulary. I remember when I was growing up that my parents always interacted with me and my siblings during different play activities, and I feel that this definitely helped my social and cognitive development as well the development of my siblings. All four of us have gone to school and have done great things; we are very well-rounded people and we certainly have creative minds. We were never told how to play or what to play with by my parents; we would just find whatever we could get our hands on and amuse ourselves the best we could. My dad introduced me to art and drawing when I was very little, and to this day, one of my favorite activities of “play” is drawing and painting pictures. I feel that art as play is great because it really affects abstract thinking, problem solving skills, self-regulation, and I also feel that it helps us deal with our emotions.
When it came to sports as play activity, my parents were extremely involved and enthusiastic, which helped to engage my interest and love for sports. Being physically active for play, through sports for example, is also wonderful for children if they are interested. For me personally, sports were and still are excellent forms of play, but I think that my parents’ interest and enjoyment of watching really influenced my passion for the game. I have never actually thought about different forms of play that I have or still engage in due to the influence of my parents, until after I read this chapter. It totally makes sense that if adults, especially parents, interact during play with their children it can have a huge impact on how the children view play and participate in playful activities.
Reading this chapter really opened my eyes to what play should really consist of. I better understand how important “free play” really is for the development of children both cognitively and socially. I have always felt that free play was crucial in the lives of children, but I did not know just how much it can affect our behavior, ways of thinking, our social interaction with others, and our way of life in general. In today’s society free play or creative activity are not focused upon in our schools and are almost considered a waste of time. In reality, play is so crucial for child development that I hope the education system will eventually change their views on the subject and allow for more free play time and creative activity in the classroom without having teacher-structured or organized activities.
It really sounds like your parents did a wonderful job fostering play and creativity in you and your siblings. There are so many aspects of our lives that are enhanced through play, well into adulthood, so it's so helpful if our sense of playfulness begins in childhood.
ReplyDeleteAnd I appreciate your final point about allowing more free play time in our education system. Even with the youngest children, teacher-structured and organized activities are important, too, but the key is to match the proportion of each -- free play (child-directed) and teacher-directed -- to the development of the child. The younger the children, the greater the percentage of free play each day.
Morgan, I can completely agree with your opinions about play. Perhaps my response might be more interesting if I were to disagree, but alas, I do not. I have had great examples, such as yourself. My role models were also my parents. My mother was an elementary school teacher and my father was a contractor. My mother was known for her artistic abilities and fun personality. She was the center of the school she taught at. The children remember her so vividly, even though they now have their own children! My mother would use crafts, art, and mainly, free-time in her teaching. Her room was always messy, but was full of fun play areas. In the end, most of her children were scoring higher than other classes, largely due to the creative and playful classroom atmosphere. I remember I would come to her classroom after school was out. I would rummage through her cupboards looking for fun materials. I remember making cookie dough and playdough spontaneously.
ReplyDeleteMy other influence was my father. My father was a contractor. He had his own business building cabins in Shaver Lake. My siblings and I were brought to the jobsite over the summers. We would work and play there. He gave us free reign over the left over materials. All too often, I would make a headband and become an indian. My brother would build really cool forts in the trees, and we would play together. We worked with tools, glue, sandpaper, sticks, asphalt, cement, and anything else one might find on a jobsite. I really believe this type of play has helped all my siblings, as well as myself, become creative, free-thinking, and imaginative people. We are all vision casters who also have the capability of following through.
Play is really an important part of childhood that has nearly been forgotten.
I was never aware how unclear the definition of play really was. Reading this chapter made me realize how ambiguous the term play can be. I agree with Morgan, the definition of play that is provided in the book should be used universally so this term can be clearly understood to everyone. I also never recognized how children’s level of play increased with adult interaction. After reading this chapter I became more aware of increased play in children when adults are involved. Tonight I was able to witness this first hand at a Christmas party a group of student athletes had with kids from the children’s hospital. Once the children were comfortable with us there level of play was raised and became much more intense and fun.
ReplyDeleteKasandra Martinson
Being someone interested in child development I am aware of how important play really is for children. Unfortunately, many adults don’t understand the developmental importance of play. When you talked about defining play it really started me thinking. If I had to define play, I would say it is a time when children are able to express themselves through imagination. You make a very good point when you talk about how play should not be forced. Children should be able is choose how they want to play. When children are forced to “play” this often takes the joy out of the activity. One of the problems with play in our society is that many adults think academics are the only important aspect in a child’s development. But in reality, play is just as important as academics. Adults need to take time out of their day and play with their children/ students.
ReplyDeleteDenise
One aspect that I find interesting is the thought that an adult’s interaction with a child’s play can help stimulate a child’s development. I would have guessed that letting a child use his/her imagination on their own would stimulate more development. Especially since children are already observing and learning from the environment they live in. However upon reflection it makes sense for a child’s development to be further advanced by an adults.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Morgan has made some legitimate points concerning a child’s play, I would have to disagree with one aspect of her blog. Morgan states that play is crucial to a child’s development, and that it should be more regulated into our educational system. I agree that a child should have some free play time, but only to an extent. A child also needs other aspects of learning monitored into a full day at school. Also, as a child progresses in age, the allotted time for play should be reduced. That or music, fine arts and sports can be introduced, as a replacement for play.
Morgan!!!I really like the way you started off your blog with a quote. It really makes the reader think of the importance of play. When you talk about play and the way it is broken down it makes me think back on my childhood. I also agree with the concept you mentioned which was self engaged play by the child. It’s just like us as adults finding joy in the courses we choose to take opposed to general education courses we are required to take. Even if we don’t want to we have to take the class, and we may think it is “absolutely boring.” When it comes to a child I think you are right on target about forced play ; however, it may be one of those concepts we must learn as children to help us as adults. Every point you made about play was valid, each made me look at play differently. When talking about free play it excites me, I love to watch it and I also think it’s very crucial in development because it allows the child to explore, imitate and have fun.-b. moutra
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