One of my favorite quotes about play is, “the most
significant attribute of play may well be that it unifies the mind, body, and
spirit” (Levy, as cited in Rogers & Sawyers, 2010, p.1). I love this because it expresses how I feel
when I remember how I played. Everything
within me was involved in my play. What
stands out most for me is that the developmental domains physical,
social-emotional, cognitive, creative etc. were all being developed
authentically. I am convinced that play
truly is serious business.
The Power of Play
In
an Early Care setting you may often hear parents say “all they do is play all
day”. Well, Early Care Education is
based upon the principles of play. Play
provides an opportunity for children to grow and develop in their natural
setting. The work of children is to play. Unfortunately in the age of technology play
is often forfeited. Children sit for
countless hours in front of televisions and computers. Both of these have their place; however
children need to have early experiences of play, indoor and outdoor, at home
and school.
Play
is such an intricate part of a child’s development that if examined closely one
could see how each developmental domain is being used and strengthened. The quote, “the most
significant attribute of play may well be that it unifies the mind, body, and
spirit” (Levy, as cited in
Rogers & Sawyers, 2010, p.1), is a powerful statement of play. When thinking about how children play it
becomes apparent that they explore with the whole self.
One
of the significant aspects of play is how it affects the overall development of
a child. When children play their
physical, emotional and social development is affected. When a child climbs and uses riding toys they
are strengthening their large muscles.
When they play with puzzles or use pencils, crayons or playdoh they are
developing their small muscles. While
they are engaged in dramatic play they are strengthening their social
skills. Play is how children grow. They need these experiences to help them to
develop. When children organize their
play they use their cognitive skills.
Organized play also helps with self-regulation. “They learn to regulate themselves as they
modify their emotional reactions and plan their play scenarios” (Bodrovea &
Leong, 2007, as cited in Heidemann &
Hewitt, p.14, 2010).
Play
is the natural environment in which children develop and grow. Authentic assessments can occur during this
time. Also, since play is how children
naturally develop, the most effective curriculum is generated by child’s
play. Children explore and discover the
world through play. When they are not
allowed to play it can cause developmental delays, since this is how children
typically progress in their development.
Play is so important that a “healthy development is the reciprocally
pleasurable play between adults and children (Caldwell, 1985, as cited in
Rogers & Sawyers, 2010, p.11). It
can carry over into the adult life of a child.
What one does as a child can sometimes determine what they will become
as an adult. We ask children, “what do
you want to be when you grow up”? Often the answer is derived from their play
experiences.
Teachers and parents alike need to be aware of the
significance of the development that play promotes. Overall, child’s play is
serious business. Healthy social-emotional, physical, cognitive and sensory
development is dependent upon early play experiences. The appropriate approach to play prepares
children for the entrance into kindergarten, life and adulthood. Play is pretty powerful.
References
Heidemann, S. &
Hewitt, D. (2010). Play the pathway from theory to practice (2nd ed.). St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press
Rogers, C. &
Sawyers, J. (2010). Play in the lives of children (9th ed). Washington, D.C: National Association for the
Education of Young Children
