The Importance Of Symbolic Play

1933 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic theory of play

The purpose of this essay is to determine the importance of Symbolic play as a component for the development of cognitive and social skills. Play is second nature to children and they will naturally engage in symbolic play throughout their developing years. Play is one of the recognisable essential factors in children’s learning and development, cchildren’s ability to use language and talk in a practical way coincides with the rise of predictable symbolic play sequences. This is also supported by Deacon’s view that the reason humans are so unique in comparison to the rest of the species is our ability to theorize emblematically. (Deacon, 1997) Freud 1969 established the view that the role of symbolic plays was the skill of controlling impulses …show more content…

Theoretical opinions of the significance and importance of symbolic play differ. Piaget (1962) highlighted the assimilative value of play. He proposed that through symbolic play, children are able to make sense and meaning of experiences and events that are beyond their understanding. Symbolic play is a private world that is personal to the child where the rules of societal convention and the logic of the real world do not necessarily apply. From this view, symbolic play enables the child to be free from reality, allowing mental manipulations of objects and events. One cognitive benefit of symbolic play is the chance to participate in role reversal, taking turns playing the numerous characters which helps to advance perception among play companions. (Newman, …show more content…

Research has shown that symbolic play improves literacy and language through the use of materials and toys. (Singer, 2006) As well as improving these skills, symbolic play helps to build the child’s confidence, and it is through play that he/she discovers out their true character. The child learns vital social skills that can be used to solve problems and work together as a team. Children create metal images throughout symbolic play, developing their memory of symbols and words. Cognitive development is lead by social and culture interactions and improves cognition and

Show More
Related

  • Samantha

    2458 Words  | 5 Pages

    Early Childhood is marked by a time in children’s lives when they develop “a confident self-image, more effective control over their emotions, new social skills, the foundations of morality, and a clear sense of themselves as boy or girl” (Berk, Kauffman & Landrum, 2011, pg. 45). According to Erik Erikson, early childhood is a period of “vigorous unfolding,” one where children have a sense of autonomy and a new sense of purposefulness or initiative (Berk, Kauffman & Landrum, 2011, pg. 45). Play is a means for children to learn about themselves and they begin to adopt the moral and gender-role standards of the society in which they live (Berk, Kauffman & Landrum, 2011). A negative outcome of early childhood is the guilt children feel as a result of excessive punishment and criticism by the adults in their lives (Berk, Kauffman & Landrum, 2011)....

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Piaget's Theory Of Play

    1732 Words  | 4 Pages

    Theorists help us to learn about play and help us progress in relation to approaches and future planning. Vygotsky believed that imaginative play and relationships are important in relation to a child’s learning, and his theory was called the social constructivist theory. He believed that through play a ‘zone of proximal development’ is created, in which a child’s learns at the height of their potential. He argued against Piaget’s theory. Piaget argued that children did not necessarily learn through play but play just showcases and applies what they have already learnt. Piaget’s theory stated that there was two aspects to play – sensory and movement play and imagination, pretend and symbolic play. The McMillian sisters theorised the idea that children would find it extremely difficult to learn, play and develop without good hygiene and good health. Froebel also had strong opinions on the role of play. He believed in the importance of symbolic play, and imaginative play - stating it was one of the best ways for

    Read More

  • Child's Theory Of Play

    1219 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of Stuart Brown's Play

    1173 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Symbolic Play: Symbolic Play

    1214 Words  | 3 Pages

    I really enjoyed observing for this notebook activity because for the first time in my whole life, I had to determine which toys fostered symbolic play and then I had to analyze why a certain toy was beneficial in promoting symbolic play. I observed three different classrooms for this experiment: Cherub’s Preschool, Bethel’s Mom2Mom group, and Mrs. Dexter’s kindergarten class. In the Cherub’s Preschool, the children had multiple toys that promoted symbolic learning. For example, Brody found some farm animals in a bin and he took them out and began to make the sounds that those animals make. This demonstrated symbolic play because he was able to place a symbol (the sound of the animal)

    Read More

  • Toy Evaluation

    1398 Words  | 3 Pages

    Additional environmental cartoon stimulus may foster enhanced development temporarily. Paiget’s cognitive-developmental theory may be useful in the child’s adaptation of how he or she plays. The child may also be able to maneuver the toy, but may not be able to understand the concept or story of the Transformer. The child is able to understand the symbols that label what toys are and may also be able to better process the parent’s teachings with symbolic knowledge. Works Cited Bee, Helen, & Boyd, Denise (2010).

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Jean Piaget's Contribution To Play Therapy

    1843 Words  | 4 Pages

    Piaget stated that children function in a concrete world and therefore are unable to use language in an abstract way until about eleven years old. Consequently language does not afford young children the structure for appropriate self-expression. Piaget believed that children design symbols to communicate their wishes, ideas and emotions. This system of symbols characterises symbolic play (Piaget & Inhelder,

    Read More

  • An Essay On The Importance Of Play On Child Learning

    841 Words  | 2 Pages

    An Article by Dr. Leong and Dr. Bodrova (2016) stated that play is beneficial to children’s learning especially when it reaches a certain degree of complexity. When they engage in play activities most of their early years, they learn to delay gratification and to prioritize their goals and actions. They also learn to consider the perspectives and needs of other people and to represent things significantly to regulate their behavior and actions in a cautious, intentional way.

    Read More

  • Sociodramatic Play In The Play

    1600 Words  | 4 Pages

    Play is such an important part of the learning and growing, especially for children. Children engage in many different types of play, but the play I saw the most when I observe the children of my daycare is sociodramatic play. The book Understanding Dramatic Play by Judith Kase-Polisini defines sociodramatic play as “both players must tacitly or openly agree to act out the same drama” (Kase-Polisini 40). This shows that children play with each other and make their worlds together as equal creators. Children also work together without argument.

    Read More

  • Why Play Is Play Important

    1011 Words  | 3 Pages

    Play has a vital role in brain development. Play is so important that it has actually been

    Read More

  • Emergent Literacy Essay

    1230 Words  | 3 Pages

    Socio-dramatic play benefits children by developing social and oral interaction with peers, and extending their vocabulary with topic related language. Educators can set up socio-dramatic play areas so that they contribute to developing the children’s emergent literacy skills. Fellowes and Oakley state that educators can facilitate emergent literacy learning in a socio-dramatic play area by including writing materials that can be easily included in play, for example, note pads and clipboards. Another way to facilitate emergent literacy is to include real texts such as signs in the play area, but these texts must be relevant to the experiences of the children (2011). An example of a socio-dramatic play area that helps develop emergent literacy skills is a restaurant or café. To allow the children to have opportunities to develop their emergent literacy knowledge while playing in this socio-dramatic play centre, the educator could add these literacy related

    Read More

  • Play Influence on Child Development

    544 Words  | 2 Pages

    Isenberg, J. P., & Jalongo, M. R. (n.d.). Why is play important? Social and emotional development, physical development, creative development. In Creative thinking and arts-based learning preschool through fourth grade (2006 ed., pp. 53-55). Retrieved from http://www.education.com/ reference/article/importance-play--social-emotional/

    Read More

  • The Psychoanalytic Theory Of Play For Young Children

    1716 Words  | 4 Pages

    This theory suggests that play plays a vital role of treating children’s disorders, children are able to gain some sense of control and alleviate their negative emotions including anxieties, fears and traumas through playing (Heidman & Hewitt, 2010; Freud, 1961). From the psychoanalytic perspective, play has a cathartic effect for children as it can assist children to cope with adverse feelings (Wolfberg, 2009, p. 32). Therefore, play is regarded as a therapeutic method to deal with the emotional problems (Wolfberg, 2009, p. 32). Moreover, this theory is of the view that play is an avenue to connect children’s past, current and future inner life (Willians, 2009, p. 575). Sigmund Freud was the pioneer who made a considerable contribution to this theory and he called “play” as the “royal road” to the child’s conscious and unconscious world (Willians, 2009, p. 575). He believed that play allows a combination of fantasy with reality, children should spend time playing every day as it is very healthy and necessarily (Willians, 2009, p. 575). Children are able to resolve psychological dilemmas, soften their worries and develop their understanding of life experiences (Wolfberg, 2009, p. 32). Erikson had further developed this theory, he recognized that the particular events are critical to shape the nature of

    Read More

  • Essay On Importance Of Play

    872 Words  | 2 Pages

    By interacting with others in play settings, children learn social rules such as, taking turns, trade, cooperation, sharing, rules, and mixing with other. They discover scenes and stories, solve problems, and negotiate their idea through social barriers. They know what they want to do and work conscientiously to do it. they learn the powerful lesson of pursuing their own ideas to a successful conclusion. Also, support most children progress from an egocentric view of the world to an understanding of the importance of social skills and rules, they learn that games such as follows the Leader, baseball, and soccer cannot work without everyone obeying to the same set of rules. It teaches children life has rules (laws) that we all must follow to function effectively. Research shows that children who involve “(in complex forms of socio-dramatic play have greater language skills than non-players, better social skills, more empathy, more imagination, and more of the subtle capacity to know what others mean. They are less aggressive and show more self-control and higher levels of thinking”.

    Read More

  • Technology and Today's Youth

    2334 Words  | 5 Pages

    Resnick, M. (2006). Computer as Paintbrush : Technology , Play , and the Creative Society An Example : Alexandra ’ s Marble Machine. (D. G. Singer, R. M. Golinkoff, & K. Hirsh-Pasek, Eds.)Play Learning How play motivates and enhances childrens cognitive and socialemotional growth, 1-16. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://web.media.mit.edu/~mres/papers/playlearn-handout.pdf

    Read More

More about The Importance Of Symbolic Play

Open Document