Unit 1 Discussion: Definition of Play
Unit 1 Discussion: Definition of Play
Interview a parent, teacher, or another adult who regularly interacts with children. Find out what this person believes play is, its value, and what he or she does to influence it in children. When you share your findings make connections to what you have read in this Unit regarding the definition of play, play theory, and developmental growth. What is your own definition of play?
Please post your initial response to this discussion board prompt by midnight on Wednesday and follow the criteria for discussions by replying to at least two of your learning colleagues by the end of the day on Sunday.
1.
Diera Butler
RE: Unit 1 DB: Definition of Play
Hello professor and classmates,
I interviewed a toddler teacher and asked what is play. Her response was that play is essential for kids and when children are playing they are learning things that deal with their everyday life when they play. She says that she explains to parents that when a child or children are playing they are able to explore different things throughout the class as well as learn because those things are used daily in people’s life. there are many ways that children play and have fun and some children are in a program that is a play based program where the children learn through play( luster and Russell 2010). Play means to me physical activities where children are able to freely explore and use their gross motor skills . Play is not just physical activity. Play is an important part of a child’s learning and development. Play can help a child when it comes to cognitive, creative, imaginative, and emotional aspects. Through play, children learn about themselves and the things that are in the world around them. Play allows the children to build communication skills form relations solve problems on their own and socialize with their peers.
2.
Aimee Sheren
RE: Unit 1 DB: Definition of Play
I work in the Wallingford Public Schools. 4 of our elementary schools have preschool programs. Since it makes up a big part of our schools, we have a Preschool Coordinator. She is really great and she was the person I interviewed. Liz believes that play is any activity that allows a person to learn and feel joy. When we think of play in the school setting we tend to look at recess or physical education as examples. She believes play is the opportunity we give children to experience their world and to learn more about it. For example, asking children to construct a building that stands one feet tall and only uses square and triangle blocks is play. It is also science: engineering, math: shape recognition and measurement, and occupational therapy: using hands to balance blocks on top of each other. Play also allows children to bring what they know to their experiences (background knowledge) and utilize to guide their learning through play. Play can also be dramatic. Allowing children to take on roles or personas that they don’t normally possess, they get to pretend. For many children this opportunity to shed their “name” and become a different person allows them to share more of their trueselves. Children with disabilities that normally speak minimally become more verbally engaged.When children engage in pretend play, we see a glimpse of a child’s view or life experiences.
Liz believes that the value of play is immeasureable in many ways. There is the academic value of learning new materials for units of study. For example, in preschool they are learning about living and nonliving things. Through play (scientific inquiry in my opinion is play) the children are not only learning about the characteristics of living and nonliving things but integrating the language and knowledge gained into their pretend play. The child that pretends to be a vet and asks the animal’s owner about the pet’s ability, intake of food and water, behaviors is integrating learning developed in “science”. There is also the development of dispositions and executive function skills that develop through play. Play gives children the opportunity to work on lifelong learning dispositions such as collaboration, communication, and persistence to name a few. (Remember that tower, you want a child that doesn’t cry or walk away after the tower topples for the first time. You want a child that refocuses, reflects and attempts a new plan). The core executive function skills of cognitive flexiblity, working memory and inhibitory control are all developed through play.
My own definition of play is the activity or work performed by children for the purpose of enjoyment, social connectivity and physical rewards. It is spontaneous, natural and pleasurable for the child. Play enhances the cognitive abilities of children. Most of the games which children play involves logical reasoning, planning and thinking about something to achive a goal. Play helps children develop linguistic abilities and helps communicate with each other. Play helps in developing social skills among childen. They learn how to interact with other children, and what is the appoaiate way of comminicating with each other. These social skills help children to better communicate with each other, and they learn these behaviours and learn to apply them in real world social situations. Physical developemnt is an important aspect of play. Games involves physical activities whicg help the fine motor and gross motor coordination of children. It helps in strengthening the muscles, and makes the children physically active. Physical activity also in turn has lot of cognitive benefits.
Reference-
Sluss, D. J. (2018). Supporting Play in Early Childhood: Environment, Curriculum, Assessment (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning US. https://ambassadored.vitalsource.com/books/9781337672191
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