Why is play so important?

1. Why is play so important? Review

2. What is Play? Play: A pleasurable activity engaged in for its own sake, with means emphasized rather than ends. Play is not usually engaged in as a serious activity and is flexible in that it varies in form or context.

3. What is Play? Children all over the world engage in play, for sheer enjoyment As they use toys and play games, they learn and develop Also find out about their culture & the world around them as they play Observers can learn about children, their behavior patterns, and their development simply by watching them play If observing, you will see concentration, intensity, determination, frustration, delight.

4. What is Play? Play is educational Provides an opportunity to make important choices and problem solve Allows children to use their imaginations and re-enact familiar behaviours A special place where a child straddles the realm of reality and fantasy (can be seen as a bridge between the inner world of imagination and the outer world of reality) Offers routine and ritual A way to work out frustration and conflicts A way of making friends

5. What is Play? A normal process in human development Provides children with means to make sense of their world, learn, grow, and continue to find pleasure and enjoyment in toys, games and playful interaction with others Children move forward in their development as a direct result of the experiences they encounter Play is both intense & effortless

6. Why play? • The three components of effective parenting and caregiving for children up to age five or six are: • Play • Comfort • Teaching • Providing play opportunities suitable for each stage is an important part of all parenting and care for young children

7. Babies first movements Babies enter the world and the realm of play with the discovery of their own hands and feet as they enter their line of vision They stare intently at them, wave and kick them, even put them in their mouths Reach and grasping is the next step They reach out and grab and parents feel need to put an object into their hands Could be complex such as a multicoloured intricately designed plastic rattle, or a simple piece of wood that has been smoothed on the edge of a stone

8. Play is Learning Children will let you know when the next level of play is by turning their interest to a new toy or object or using a familiar object in a new way Play is the classroom for learning about life Children engage in play using all their senses (they see, touch, feel, listen, and smell) When they play, they are thinking, problem solving, planning, and experimenting They are scientists, finding out how the world works. They imitate and practice the roles of father, mother, older sister or brother They imagine careers: firefight, jet pilot, nurse, animal trainer, hairdresser, actor, artist, baker, carpenter, astronaut. They have conversation, resolve arguments, accomplish great feats, all in the course of a morning!

9. Play is Learning Play supports children in all areas of their development When using bodies to catch balls, jump, and run, they are enhancing their physical development Puzzles, games, and other creative pursuits support intellectual development Pretend games and dramatic play allow children to develop socially and emotionally Not all play involves rules, but does have comforting rituals Children practice their physical, verbal, and social skills over and over again, without being aware of it

10. Play Therapy Play is therapeutic Has been acknowledged and used as a way to understand a child’s sprit or mind Child psychologists and other child-care professionals use play therapy to discover hidden emotions, frustrations, fears, anger, and hostility in children

11. Play Therapy Play therapy professionals have children play with certain toys or objects in a playroom (like a dollhouse or family of dolls, cards, and trucks) The therapist observes and takes note of how the child plays and what the child is saying during play After several sessions, common themes and recurring patterns are identified The therapist becomes more aware of the child’s underlying problems and may involve caregivers to make changes that will help resolve any issues

12. Play is Discovery Not all play needs to be organized The great outdoors is an adventure in itself! A park, backyard, trail, or schoolyard can offer varied experiences Safety demands that parents supervise, or join in!

13. Play is Culture Play is an expression of culture The toys and games used can embody a culture’s values In urban North America, technology and numeracy are highly valued. Toy computers, cash registers, calculators all bring the world of business into the playroom

14. Play is culture In hunting and gathering societies, spatial skills are valued, so games involving accuracy over a distance, such as throwing sticks and hitting targets, are popular

15. Play is culture In societies in which language and linguistics are highly valued, books, alphabet blocks, paper, and writing tools are found in most homes

16. Play is Music, Art, & Drama Children discover that if you add water to dirt, they can mold it and shape it into different things Children draw with sticks or markers They make sounds by banging on things or blowing on a blade of grass Many games involve singing or music such as London Bridge or Ring Around The Rosie Finger games and action songs integrate singing with body movement

17. The great thing about play Childhood is a time when children should sing or role-play without self-consciousness They enjoy dressing up in old clothes and costumes and becoming make believe characters Playing provides an excellent foundation for introducing children to the pleasures of music, art, and drama

18. Answer on a piece of paper: • 1. How does play contribute to human development? • Provide at least FIVE ways • 2. How can play be therapeutic for children? • Provide at least TWO examples • A WRITTEN answer