Play: Caroline

 I believe play is the primary source of learning as each child has the ability to learn and gather knowledge through play. It is said that “Children learn and develop through play; it is a motivating factor for learning, and that adult help and participation are necessary for learning to progress.” (Manning. K et al, 1977:12). Piaget (1951) stated that modern psychology identified that play is the starting point for cognitive development in the infant child. (Manning. K et al, 1977:12). Throughout play children begin to develop concepts of spontaneous relationships, make judgements and rehearse imagination. A definition of play is “The eager engagement in pleasurable physical or mental effort to obtain emotional satisfaction” [Sheridan, M. 1977:13]

"My previous experience had taught me that when children are free from the dictatorship of adults, their achievements and developments surpass that of children whose schools lives are domineered by the timetable, by syllabus, examinations and inspection." (Wood, E. 2008: 21) Wood argues that through play children have freedom from rules and boundaries and can discover for themselves.

There are many reasons as to why play is used as a context of learning these include:

· Pleasure is gained through play which allows children to have a happy and memorable experience

· Play can be used to develop and control emotions of a child

· Play is directed from the child not the adult/teacher therefore play is optional

· Play creates spontaneous activities which produces excitement and improves creativity

· Children and adults can play together which allows companionship

Here are some elements of play:

· Play must take place in a safe and colourful environment to allow full development.

· Play allows us to evaluate a child’s current level of knowledge.

· An individual can learn through play and can explore ideas and concepts.

· Play is child based and can contribute to attitudes and emotions.

· Play is more efficient if a teacher takes a reserved role within the activity as it allows the child free movement and the opportunity for experimentation

However, there is an issue with play; certain elements of play are considered dangerous which has an element of risk taking. There are many different kinds of play however; we can sub-divide them into 4 categories: Domestic, Constructive, make/believe and the use of natural materials. These kinds of play have their differences but they can all be used to develop learning and create excitement whilst learning.

 

In order for play to be effective in the classroom there needs to be a sufficient amount of space, time and materials to lengthen motivation and learning to its fullest range. It is vital through play that the adult/ teacher are merely seen as a participator who is sharing the experience rather than an integrator otherwise this may anger the child.

A personal experience related to play was at a local primary school on placement for work experience. I had the opportunity to interact with the children and experience first-hand through the eyes of the child how play takes place. I had to take a passive role within the process to allow the children to create their own play amongst themselves, shortly after this I was introduced to the game and had to venture into the play world allowing myself to understand how young children experience learning.

Manning, K. and Sharp, A. (1977) Structuring play in the early years at school London: School council publication

Sheridan, A. (1977) Spontaneous play in early childhoodEngland: NFER publishing company

Wood, E. (2008) The routledge reader in the early childhood education. London: Routledge