Free Play Summary

The relationship between play and learning seems obvious to many child professionals and parents, and yet there are still lack of understanding surrounding the importance of children's play. Some people believe that children need to "work" not play, and that playing serves no useful purpose in a learning and development environment. This is surprising considering that play, with its high levels of motivation and potential enjoyment empowers children (as well as people

Why is it important for a child to play? In one article, it is stated that free, unstructured play is important for a child’s brain development (Anonymous, 2016). It allows for the child to not only

Playing helps children grow and understand the world around them. The benefits from ‘playing’ for children is that they also learn how to socialize with parents and peers and it is an important and crucial part of their development. Also, children are always learning

Play contributes to children’s “physical, emotional and social well-being” (Else, 2009, p.8) and through play, the child’s holistic development and well-being is being constantly accounted for as is it led by the individual. The child decides what s/he wants to do and does it; it is

The Early Years Learning Framework relates the importance of play to notions of belonging, being and becoming. It states that children make sense of their social worlds through playing with others (DEEWR, 2009). Article 13 of the UN Convention reads that every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child (Connor, 2010). It is important to note that play has multiple approaches and that children’s play varies greatly according to culture, interests,

To what extent did the Nazis succeed in establishing a totalitarian state in Germany in the years between 1933 and 1939?

There are many factors on how play can affect the child, as Brussoni, Olsen, Pike and Sleet (2012) said children learn about societal roles, norms, and values and develop physical and cognitive competencies, creativity, self-worth and efficacy. When children play it helps them develop the sense of intrinsic interests, how to make decisions, problem solving, following the rules, regulate emotions and maintain and develop peer relationships. If children are restricted from free play then it might potentially lead to lifelong

To children, play is just fun. However, playtime is as important to their development as food and good care. Playtime helps children be creative, learn problem-solving skills and learn self-control.  Good, hardy play, which includes running and yelling, is not only fun, but helps children to be physically and mentally healthy.

Free play is a wonderful way for children to develop their social skills. During playtime children are able to explore and find out the differences each child has and be able to accept those differences. While doing research on this topic of playtime I have found a study showing how guided play is more beneficial to the child.

Many believe that children should control their own free play. Having the freedom can benefit a child’s mental and physical state of mind. Sergio Pellis, a researcher at the University of Lethbridge says, “The more time that children spent in less-structured activities, the better their self-directed executive functioning.” “Play physically changes the connections between neurons in the pre-frontal cortex. It prepares the brain for “life, love and even schoolwork” (qud. In Kozlowska). Most kids have playtime, but most are being told what to do. Not having the free will to use your own mind can be very damaging to a child mental health. Jessica Lahey, a writer for The Atlantic says, “Unscheduled, unsupervised, playtime is one of the most valuable educational opportunities we give our children. It is

In conclusion, it can be seen that free play in the pre-school level does have more advantages and disadvantages. Free play helps children develop physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Free play occurs in different forms but each benefit the child. Whether it be fine motor play, gross motor play, situational/ symbolic, and social play. Free play helps children develop self –confidence in themselves, it also provides growth socially for children to interact with many children. It also promotes cognitive thinking, meta language skills, and developing imagination skills. Free play is truly a vital component in pre-school’s it should not be ignored or taken away from children. Educators should focus towards more free play when possible. These

“Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights” (Ginsburg, 2007, p 182). There is no opposing argument to the statement that play is essential to children and youth in all domains of development. Although certain types of play may be more meaningful in terms of development, any kind of play is better than no play at all. “The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds” examines and reflects on Ginsburg’s research on the importance of play during childhood development and guidelines for pediatricians on how to advocate for children in terms of protected play and a balanced lifestyle during development. In this journal, I found why play is beneficial, the consequences of reduced play, and the factors in the ever-changing routine of childhood, why this change is a problem, the effect this change has on many families, and some proposed solutions, as well as advice on how to promote healthy development and growth through play.

There are multiple factors in a child’s development. Parents have a responsibility, as well as a privilege, to contribute to every milestone. Most parents stress over physical and mental stages so much so that play-time is ignored. By making decisions that sacrifice play parents hinder their social development. Parents must take action and encourage their youth to play more, before childhood is lost forever.

Play is often trivialized in many settings with people dismissing it as an immature activity that children engage in and that they will eventually outgrow. It is common to hear people dismiss adult play as childishness because playing is often considered childish and immature. There is some truth in that statement, but it is not entirely true. While a play is important to children and is often associated with children, it is just as crucial to adults as well. Play during childhood is important and critical in determining many facets of a child’s life including, but not restricted to mental health, intellectual ability, as well as social soundness (Brock et al., 2013). In the past, the society was structured in a way that afforded children more time to play. However, in recent times, formal education is taking more of the children 's supposed play time. ‘Earlier is better ' is the principle these days as more children are thrust into formal education early in life which tends to limit severely their playing time. Parent’s tight working schedules and the employment sector becoming more competitive, the parent’s time with their kids has also been limited. While parents may not feel the impact these actions may have on the

Play is the foundation stone of children’s healthy and productive lives (Oliver & Klugman, 2002) and is also a significant means of child’s learning and development (Zigler, Singer & Bishop-