I have read numerous articles on the benefits of play for children. And have witnessed it, first hand. Yet, I was looking for additional modern studies on this subject that expand to show more likeness to the fact, as opposed to opinions. Two scientists, that had actual studies which I have included links to are: A Researcher named Jaak Panksepp of Washington State University. Furthermore, Sergio Pellis, at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, is also a Researcher. They have diverse enlightenments of why play is needed for child development, but I consolidated both in this journal essay since both seemed equally important. Pellis says that animal studies did support his ideas, but that this can’t prove that play affects humans …show more content…
Therefore, without play neurons don’t change. Pellis says “free play” embodies the brain to build new circuits in the prefrontal cortex so that it can help it pilot these complex social interactions. The play also has the capability to activate the whole neocortex. The study that backs this is to involve switching certain genetic influence on and off. It has been found that play activates the complete neocortex, he says. And we found that of the 1,200 genes, about a third were knowingly changed simply by having a half-hour of play. Panksepp has studied this process in rats, which love to play and even initiate a distinctive sound he has categorized "rat laughter." When the rats are young, play appears to cause lasting changes in areas of the brain used for thinking and processing social interactions, Panksepp says. A link to a detailed study, referenced above is: …show more content…
In one of the latest studies in this field, Pivarnik and colleagues found that middle-school pupils who had done best on fitness quizzes (which gauged aerobic capacity, strength, fortitude, flexibility and body composition) performed better intellectually, as well. A growing figure of an investigation, including a 2009 study of 11,000 third graders published in Pediatrics, expressed that by adding extra play to the day, not less, improves the possibility of better test scores and behavior. Research in Australia involving more than 12,000 high school students stated that, when it came to internet usage, surprisingly pupils who regularly played online video competitions scored higher in math’s, reading, and science exams than their peers who didn't. Play is important to child development. Play is good for a youngster’s brain, community skills, and grades. Play helps young persons and is understood to help with the need to build verbal and common-sense skills and additionally learning consideration for others. The varied purposes of the studies helped me to gain a more complete understanding of the functions of play in the child care setting, and emphasize the importance of play for children’s intellectual, emotional and social growth. Moreover, to analyze data of growth and of cognitive theories pertaining to play and beat
Many theorists have tried to define play as a concept, however, no two agree on a set definition. Their backgrounds and induvial lifestyles influence the way they see the importance of play. Reed and Brown also believe that there isn’t an agreed definition of play because is something that is felt rather than done (Reed & Brown, 2000 cited in Brock, Dodd’s, Jarvis & Olusoga, 2009). In spite of this, it is clear that most theorists uphold the ethos that play is imperative to a child’s learning and development. There is a wide range of different studies and theories which helps us develop our own perception of what play is. In my personal experience I have found play to be a way of expressive our emotions, exploring and learning new things, thus
Stuart Brown’s book Play describes noteworthy of play in the lives of animals and humans and how free play develops the social skills in children that are necessary for creative thinking later in life. He used his observations of animals in play to explain the role of play in brain development and social integration.
Ginsburg, K. R. (2006). "The Species of the World. " The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent–Child Bonds. USA: American Academy of Pediatrics.
... play has a strong impact on a child’s emotional development as well (Hjelmstedt & Collins, 2008).
Play helps build sturdy learning foundations because later levels of learning are built upon the earlier ones. All types of play, from fantasy to rough-and-tumble have a crucial role in the development of children. It is the lens through which children experience their world and the world of others. If deprived to play, they are at bigger possibility for atypical development and deviant behavior. Without play, self-control does not develop satisfactorily Goldstein, J. (2012)
The word “play” has numerous meanings to different people in different contexts. Therefore it cannot have one definition and is described in a number of ways. Smith (2010) describes play as involvement in an activity, purely for amusement and to take part for fun. That play is “done for it’s own sake, for fun, not for any external purpose.” (Smith, 2010. P4) Therefore, as one precise definition cannot be presented for the word ‘play,’ it is described in a number of ways such as social dramatic play. Briggs and Hanson (2012) portray social dramatic play as the building blocks of a child’s ability to accept the possibility to step into another world, building and developing on children’s higher order thinking, accentuating the child as a social learner. Another example of play is exploratory play, which is described as children being placed in an explorer or investigator role, to identify the cause or affect a resources that is presented to them has. (Briggs, M and Hanson, A. 2012) Games are also another example of play. They are included on the basis that playing games with rules, regardless of age, can develop a child’s intellectual capabilities along with their physical, behavioural and emotional health. (Briggs, M and Hanson, A. 2012).
... deprived of play, the outcome of such situations leads to adverse effects in learning and development. Hence this holds a strong argument as to why play, plays a central role in the early years curriculum.
Research affirms that through play, children develop cognitive and affect, necessary for general functioning of human
All children play and it is something that most children do because they are having fun, but without realising children are developing and learning skills when they are engaged in play. Play helps stimulate the mind as it is practical and gives children the chance to explore and experience new situations. It can also ensure that children get to think by themselves and be spontaneous as they control their own play. Children get the chance to be creative and imaginative which develops independence for children. Play is vital for child development and helps children develop five main areas of development:
What is play? In Oxford dictionary the definition of play is not for practical or serious purpose rather it an activity which is based on one’s engagement for recreation and enjoyment. Being a play designer my definition of play is it helps in developing individuals and growing with others as a part of the community. It It strengths the family, helps in developing friendship and relationship. It increases your leisure skills, self esteem and worth. It acts as a power booster, energies, relaxes you increases emotional, mental and physical development. Psychologists like Jean Piagent, Willian James, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and Lev Vygotskv has talked about plays in their research. In which they describe that play is common behavior in humans, they had strong beliefs in how important play was on human development well explained by “Jean Piaget in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development”. Every child grows up playing and thus it plays as important role in developing physical milestone in one’s life. One of the aspects of the development of children is physical development. Some Researcher concluded that physical play helps in building their concentration, learning and motivation. Now the question arises in my mind that what are basic requirement for physical play? From my personal experiences my parents have always focused and encouraged me and my brother to get involved in outdoor and physical activities because somehow from their own life experiences they were convinced by the philosophy of benefit of physical play f...
...ctive. Play is an essential learning tool and one that must not be ignored within the classroom. It is a catalyst to help children develop socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. It is not only an important part of a child’s development as a pupil but also a child’s development as an individual.
Play is important aspect of life, whether it is in school, at home, or just for fun. It is something that we should all take into consideration, to make things more engaging. Play increased my ability to engage the other parts of the brain in order to be creative. It encouraged me to try new things, to be imaginative in ways that I never thought possible. Play allowed me to feel various levels of joy and focus with less stress. It also allowed me to challenge different parts of our brain and adapt a sense of Mental Mobility (Brown, 2010).
I will complete a literature Review in order to find out the benefits of outdoor play and I will get my information from internet, books and placement. This will be completed by 20th April 2016
Before diving into my research, I reflected on the knowledge I already knew regarding play and play based learning. From experience, I know that play is an enjoyable activity for children, and even some adults. I know that there are different ways one can play. For example, playing with others is known as cooperative play and playing alone is considered solitary play. There are different types of play. For example, there is dress up or pretend games, which is considered dramatic, play and there is playing with building blocks which is constructive play. After my reflection I realized that I was more knowledgeable on the action of playing rather then the benefits of it.
A very wise man; Charles Schaefer, once said “We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.” To begin with, there is no one explanation about what play really is, other than the fact that it holds infinite numbers of definitions according to every single individual. Play is just not a physical body movement involved in an activity, but more than that if you look outside of the box. For centuries, play has been practiced in its own unique way with not only children, but adults as well.