play-unit-7

Valuing Play

Copyright 2005 Thomson Delmar Learning.All Rights Reserved.

What was your most memorable play experience as or with a child?


If so, for whom?


Components of play


Characteristics of Play

(What children experience)

Observable Behaviors

(What adults see)

Contexts of Play

(What impacts it and where it occurs)

Froebel (1887)Play is the purest, most spiritual activity of humans at this stage.

Einstein (1954)The point is to develop the childlike inclination for play.

Brian Sutton Smith (1997) [Play is] fun, being outdoors, being with friends, choosing freely, not working, pretending, enacting fantasy, drama, and playing games.

Caplan and Caplan (1997)Play is the highest form of research.


Bredekamp (1987)[Play is] a primary vehicle for and indicator of [children's] mental growth. . . . Play is an essential component of developmentally appropriate practice.

Ed Klugman (1995)Play is a major interactive process through which children learn about themselves.

Ablon (2002)[Play is an] activity that occurs within certain time and place limits, according to accepted rules.


Requires active

involvement

Pleasurable

Focuses on action rather

than outcomes

Symbolic

Free of external

rules

Voluntary

Play


Play is pleasurable. Play is voluntary and intrinsically

motivated. Play is symbolic, meaningful, and

transformational. Play actively engages the players. Play is rule-bound. Play focuses on process rather than

product.


Play is natural and valuable for all young children.

Play and development are reciprocal, progressive, and transformative.

Play promotes good physical and mental health.

All children should have easy access to play places that are safe and that support quality play.

All children have the right to play as stated in Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.


Play

positive affect creative

combinations, improvisational

casual demeanor; heart rate is variable

Exploration

neutral affect (cautious)

stereotypical behaviors

Intense; heart rate issteady; and concentration evident


Sensorimotor play

Symbolic play

Games with rules


Practice play or functional play mere practice play fortuitous combinations intentional combinations constructive play


Level I (Birth to 2 years)symbolism begins

Level II (2 to 7 years) orderlinessexact imitation of reality collective symbolism with differentiation

and complementary adjustment of roles


unoccupied behavior onlooker behavior solitary play parallel play associative play cooperative play


macrosystem

exosystem

microsystem

child Mesosystem interaction

between two systems

chronosystem—impact of factors over time


maintain healthy, safe, play spaces. develop schedules that ensure that basic

physiological needs are met. cultivate an array of familiar peers, materials,

or other culturally relevant materials. display behaviors that encourage but do not

disrupt play. establish an agreement between the adult

and the child that play can occur. Signals are often used to indicate that this is a psychologically safe play space.


focusing on the process (rather than the goal) of play. Ask exploratory questions that help extend the child’s play.

elaborating and building on children’s play or interests. Make comments, offer new and varied materials.

reflecting the emotions children express in their play and actions. This labels and validates children’s feelings.


defining the problem. Help children learn negotiation skills. Encourage them to think about alternatives.

providing varied materials to encourage exploration and play.

providing open-ended materials for play.(Klein, Wirth, and Linas, 2003, pp.

40–41)


poverty and violence

changing cultural values

inadequate space

overemphasis on academics


Play can be defined and studied using specific criteria.

Characteristics, observable behaviors, and context guide the study of play.

Play can and should be an important part of every child’s life.


So share what you learned about play this evening.



No class on the 11th

Fall Break 10/11-12

Live seminars will continue on the 18th!

play-unit-7

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