Why Play Is Play Essay
analytical Essay
1561 words
What is play? Is it an activity one does for enjoyment? Is it an essential learning tool? The answer is that there is no definite answer. There are professionals who have studied play and formulated their own answers as to what play is. Some say it’s unstructured peer interactions, others say it’s structured interactions. Some say it’s a special and undefinable activity while others say it’s a basic life activity. The reason for the clear differences about what play is, is because play encompasses many different things and has many different forms. From the moment babies are born until the moment adults die, they all participate in some form of play, whether it be smiling at somebody 's movement, playing hide and seek, or participating in a sport or group. Although the definition of play is not definite, there is at least one definite thing about play. That is that play is an important and crucial part of any developmentally appropriate early childhood classroom and has unfortunately been reduced and replaced by standardized tests and teacher-based teaching and learning. Play is an enormously important tool that human beings use to help them learn new information and without it …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Explains that play is an important part of any developmentally appropriate early childhood classroom and has unfortunately been reduced and replaced by standardized tests and teacher-based teaching and learning.
- Opines that a child's need to play is of greater importance than the teacher’s needs to assess their students the way they want to.
- Argues that academic learning can be integrated with play, making it more fun and allowing children to learn more, both academically and socially.
- Explains that play teaches children essential, everday life skills that young children are still learning and acquiring.
- Argues that play motivates and inspires children to want to learn. the lack of play within early childhood programs is impractical and disappointing.
Despite all of play’s weird attributes, it is a wonderfully important activity and experience. The lack of play within early childhood programs is impractical and disappointing. American’s are denying their students what they need, so they can measure their student’s academic intelligence, thinking little to none about their student’s social and emotional intelligence, which are just as important. Play is so much more than just play. Play is necessary. Play is learning, engaging, thinking, understanding, caring, knowing, experiencing, and lots more. Play needs to be restored in America’s early childhood
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- The Importance Of Play And Literacyanalytical essayWhat is play? Although there is no one consensus on the definition of play, it is undeniable that “play is the work of childhood” (Diamant-Cohen, 2012). If play is the work of childhood, then why is play being taken away? The answer lies in the “schoolification of the early years” (Kane, 2016). This means that many preschools are turning away from play and towards academics. Early childhood educators need to turn their focus away from thinking about academics and play as separate. Play should encompass all areas for a child’s well-being; social-emotional and academic alike.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that play is the work of childhood, and that many preschools are turning away from play and towards academics. early childhood educators need to focus on all areas for a child's well-being.
- Explains that children are not just playing, but building social skills. with the decline of play, educators are noticing that there are "ramifications for child well-being".
- Analyzes how the trend started when preschools switched to a more academic approach to match what children would experience during formal schooling. parents valued play, while kindergarten teachers valued self-control, ability to pay attention and sharing.
- Explains that language isn't intentionally taught, but picked up as the child grows up. early educators can help facilitate this language development by introducing and teaching children new words and phrases.
- Explains that play is important for children's well-being, but it can also be a vehicle to learn literacy skills.
- Opines that early educators need to fill their room with literacy experiences for children to interact with. these include interactive read aloud, interactive writing, and meaningful print located around the room.
- Explains that interactive read alouds help children experience patterns in text, success of "reading" the story, and the joy of being part of the group.
- Argues that literacy and play don't have to be separate, and should be saturated with literacy experiences. early educators should make academics accessible to children during this time.
- Cites stantine, joseph l., diamant-cohen, betsy, and einarsdottir, johanna. play and literacy: a collaborative action research project in preschool
- Explains fehr, karla k., and sandra w. russ' assessment of pretend play in preschool-aged children.
- Explains that pretend play and creativity in preschool-age children: associations and brief intervention.
- Explains the impact of children's perception of an activity as play versus not play on emotional well-being.
- Describes kane, nazneen, and crossref. the play-learning binary: u.s. parents’ perceptions on preschool play in a neoliberal age.
- States lifter, karin, et al., "overview of play: its uses and importance in early intervention/early childhood special education."
- Explains rajapaksha's article, "promoting oral language skills in preschool children through sociodramatic play in the classroom."
- Cites roskos, kathleen a., and christie, james f. (gaining ground in understanding the play-literacy relationship).
1208 wordsRead More - Solitary Play Essayexplanatory essayAround the world children are able to express their creativity daily through the medium of play. Children play everywhere, at home, outside, at parks, at school, and many other places. This activity is enjoyable yet at the same time children learn how to solve problems, cooperate, take turns, and get along with others without even realizing that they are learning. Additionally, they develop motor skills such as climbing, running, grasping, and balancing all while participating in various types of play. Authors, Gordon and Browne state “Through play, children learn about the world: what color purple is, how to make matzo balls, and how to be a friend” (120). Therefore, play is not only fun for the child; it can also become a learning experience.
In this essay, the author
- Describes solitary play as the type of play when a child plays alone, independently of others, even though the child is in the room or group of children.
- Describes cooperative play, where children work together to achieve a common goal. it teaches children how to share, take turns, get along with others, and self-expression.
- Describes dramatic play as imaginative or pretend play, where children imitate actions or verbal expressions of something or someone they are pretending to be.
- Explains that young children engage in many different types of play, depending on their age, maturity, and physical development. play promotes learning for the whole child, providing benefits for all developmental domains.
- Explains that children express their creativity daily through play. mildred parten categorized play from a social behavioral perspective and developed six play categories by observing free play patterns in nursery school settings.
1217 wordsRead More - Emotional devleopment in childrenexplanatory essayPlay is an important part of emotional-social development. Play can act as a way for children to reveal their innermost feelings and express thought. As defined by the text, play is “voluntary activities done for enjoyment or recreation that are not performed for any sake beyond themselves.” Children move through different levels of play as they mature. One form of play which scientists have become increasingly interested in is imaginative play. With imagination children learn how to be creative. Many children between ages 3-5 create imaginary friends for themselves.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that emotional and social development are closely entwined. child experts and psychologists agree that emotions are vital in a child’s life.
- Explains that play is an important part of emotional-social development. it can act as a way for children to reveal their innermost feelings and express thought.
- Explains that while play is often accepted and encouraged by western industrialized cultures, it often times is not accepted by families of other cultures.
- Explains that emotional development is very important in a developing child's self-esteem. ones own sense of self helps us direct and respond to our own behavior.
- Explains that gender identification is an important step in a child's development. the text mentioned four existing theories on the progression of children becoming psychologically masculine or feminine.
- Explains the influence family, especially parents, have on a child's social skills and emotional needs.
- Explains that sibling relationships also play a vital role in the emotional/social development of children.
- Explains that peer relationships, day cares and head start programs, and media influence children's development.
693 wordsRead More - Imaginative Play Essayanalytical essayIn life, no action is absent of a reaction. Every effect is linked to a cause, whether seen or unseen and play is no exception. As adults, play is not a foreign concept to us, we just chose not to engage in it and have diminutive space for it reserved in our day-to-day schedules. However, it is essential in the lives of young children.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that every action is linked to a cause, whether seen or unseen, and that play is essential in the lives of young children.
- Explains that the benefits of play are invisible, yet they are there working. the first ball is play in a child's life and the other balls are potential benefits.
- Explains that scientists have proved the advancement in child learning as a result of play.
- Explains how psychologist sandra russ linked imaginative play to cognitive development, which is the building of thought processing, decision making, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
- Analyzes how unstructured play in a classroom can lead children to reiterate concepts they have learned from class.
- Opines that play should be an essential part of a child's life. give them random objects and encourage them to incorporate them into their games.
1025 wordsRead More - Child's Theory Of Playopinionated essayMany 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
In this essay, the author
- Opines that most theorists uphold the ethos that play is imperative to a child's learning and development.
- Analyzes how locke and rousseau were influenced by thinking of their time and may have adapted their views making their idea of play bias.
- Explains that parten's idea of child lead stages of play would support jntcp 'behaviour that is freely chosen, personally directed', whereas a teacher would believe that adult led play is more beneficial.
- Opines that everyone has individual backgrounds and experience which influence the way they view the importance of play and how to define it.
- Explains that the jnctp is an establishment made up of play worker's. their job reflects how they perceive play and what they believe play should be.
1219 wordsRead More - Preschool and the Role and Value of Playexplanatory essayPlay is a wonderful asset for our children and can benefit them in many ways: physical, language, self-concept, and social development are four examples of the different areas that massively impact a child’s development. The different play...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that physical, language, self-concept, and social development are four examples of the different areas that massively impact a child's development.
- Opines that technology is important, but it's not the be all end all of learning.
- Opines that children need to experience play in its purest form to develop naturally and develop the skills needed to become independent learners.
- Explains that they want to apply what they have learned to their internship class. they plan on saving this essay and using it in their preschool classroom in the future.
- Explains nilson, barbara ann, week by week: plans for documenting children's development.
- Explains snow, kyle, "research news you can use: more threats to preschoolers' play."
- Explains that play is important for children in today's preschool culture. it helps children grow and develop socially, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
815 wordsRead More - Imaginative Play Case Studyexplanatory essayPlay is instrumental in the healthy development of children. The development of play throughout an individual life is essential in providing the necessary methods to foster growth and development in critical developmental areas. According to Davies (2011), play is instrumental in providing a bridge for the child to transition from a toddler with a limited capacity to understand the world into a child in the middle years who can think logically. Play is also important in fostering cognitive development, social development, language and communication, moral development, self-regulation, and sense identity.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that play is instrumental in the healthy development of children. it provides the necessary methods to foster growth and development in critical developmental areas.
- Explains that the development of relationships, cognitive abilities, and growing interests in the external world can be seen while children ages 3-6 months are playing.
- Explains that the child's play with objects is consistent with play in infancy. play provides the toddler with a means of coping with confusion or stress.
- Explains that play during the preschool years of a child's life serves the functions of skill development, exploration of reality, and mastery of anxiety.
- Explains that play is an essential element in the child's physical development and social development. play fosters sharing, moral reasoning, control of aggression, and conflict resolution.
- Explains that play during preschool helps the preschooler learn to distinguish between fantasy and reality. dressing up as an adult allows the child to explore social roles.
- Explains that play is a means for the preschooler to cope with anxiety. children can distinguish between imaginary objects and real physical objects, but the distinction between fantasy and reality becomes difficult when the child is under stress.
- Explains that play during the preschool years assists in the development of cognitive skills. the preschooler practices their understanding of cause and effect, constructive of narrative, and perspective taking while participating in symbolic play.
- Explains that fantasy play assists in the preschooler's development of morality. fantasy play helps the child determine what good behavior is and what is not.
- Explains that play is important in the development of gender identity for the preschooler. preschool children tend to support and admire peers who maintain sex stereotyped behavior and reject those who do not.
- Explains that fantasy play is supplanted by organized and ritualized play of games and sports as middle school progresses.
- Explains that play is instrumental in the healthy development of children. it fosters cognitive, social, language, communication, moral, self-regulation, and sense identity from infancy to adolescence.
1320 wordsRead More - The Reflection Of Play And Play Based Learningexplanatory essayBefore 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that before diving into their research, they reflected on the knowledge they already knew regarding play and play based learning.
- Explains that they wished to know the answers to three questions about play-based learning, such as why not many childcare programs or schools use it, and what benefits it has.
- Explains that the hardest part of their research assignment was actually coming up with the topic. they had trouble pin pointing a topic that they found interesting.
- Describes how they used google scholar to find dependable sources for their research. they used the key words pay based learning, childcare, and teaching styles.
723 wordsRead More - An Essay On The Importance Of Play On Child Learningexplanatory essayAn 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that play is beneficial to children's learning especially when it reaches a certain degree of complexity. when children engage in play activities most of their early years, they learn to delay gratification and prioritize their goals and actions.
- Explains that research by gabriel, doiron, baldacchino, mckenna & o’keef (2012) and dr. leong and bodrova (2016) affirms that play does have a large impact on the development of children across the different domains of development.
- Explains that children are expected to learn certain skills in preschool so that they are prepared for elementary school. through play, children develop skills from physical, language, self-concept to social development.
- Explains that a new york times opinion section review found that early didactic instruction might worsen academic performance. dr. marcon, r.a. studied 343 children who attended an academically oriented preschool class.
- Explains that both articles shared a common understanding that children who were given opportunities to play during their early years developed more skills and were the ones who had significantly satisfying school performance.
- Explains that all types of play, from fantasy to rough-and-tumble, have a crucial role in the development of children.
- Explains that a research-based article by almon, j. and miller, e. (2011) showed some researches from different parts of the world regarding the crisis in early education.
- Analyzes how an essay by gray, p. (2016) showed researches on play deficit. he concluded that play deprivation is not good for children and promotes anxiety, depression, narcissism, loss of creativity and suicide.
- Explains that play is a physical and social space, and helps children develop social abilities. children can build relationships, resolve conflicts, negotiate and regulate their behaviors.
- Explains that children have amplified feelings of success and optimism as they act as their own agents. it is a known stress release and often connected to the childs’ wellbeing.
- Explains dr. dewar's article that playful behavior has positive effects on the brain and the ability of a child to learn. play may function as an important mode for learning.
- States that purposeful play-based early learning sets the stage for future learning, health, and well-being of children.
841 wordsRead More - Similarities and Differences between Reggio Emilia and High Scopeexplanatory essay..., J., & Garzoli, E. (2007, November 11). The Effectiveness of a Play-Based Curriculum in Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from http://teachplaybasedlearning.com/8.html
In this essay, the author
- Explains that high scope incorporates diversity through developmentally appropriate approaches, which allow the children to progress at their own rate through the use of learning centers.
- Explains that in the high scope approach, teachers have a significant influence on the children.
- Explains that high scope uses research-validated tools to assess the children and the programs they are in. the early literacy skill assessment (elsa) measures the emerging literacy skills of children in early childhood programs.
- Explains the effectiveness of a play-based curriculum in early childhood education.
- Explains morrison, g. s., chapter 6: early childhood programs applying theories to practice.
- Explains that high scope and reggio emilia have unique aspects that make up their curriculums. they promote the developmental domains in their key developmental indicators (kdis).
- Explains that the reggio emilia approach is based on the practice and philosophy that children are active constructors of their own knowledge.
1688 wordsRead More