Is it Important for a child to play? The obvious answer would be yes but what constitutes play? Free unstructured play? Structured play? What differences do these types of play involve and which is better? The question why should my child play and why can’t they do it alone comes to mind to many parents often or is sometimes not even thought about in their busy lives to keep the child provided for. It is often at the back of our minds that children enjoy themselves while making sure they have everything needed to survive is right at the forefront.
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
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According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education children at preschool level have difficulties focusing on things for more than an hour and should have tasks divided into 15-20 minute activities (Rock, 2017). This is true for most younger children as it will be easier for them to focus and gain more from each activity. They cannot perform either type of play alone as children should be supervised by an adult or reasonably aged older peer, or should be engaged with an adult or peer in the activity. Humans are social creatures by nature and it is even more true in younger children. Even side by side play is considered engaging with the child as even just sitting there with them is encouraging even if it is not immediately seen.
Regardless of how busy things become, it is important for a child to play. The benefits for a child are overwhelmingly positive both physically and mentally. Engage them in structured play as often as unstructured play. Sitting a child in front of the “tv babysitter” may seem convienent but is only hurting your child developmentally. It is important for a child to play whether it is free or unstructured and that they are engaged. Make time for them to play as children being able to play is a primary
Social skills - By playing independently of adults, children have the chance to practise their social skills. They might squabble or raise their voices at times, but most children from 3 years or so are able to work things out themselves. Learning to take turns and cooperate helps children’s social skills.
Play is essential to every part of children’s lives and is important to their development. It provides the children with different ways of doing things children will want to explore and learn new things.
The Playwork Principles (2006) state “All children and young people need to play. The impulse to play is innate”.
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
Play for a child is an opportunity to develop the skills needed to form relationships with
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.
Children develop normally when they are exposed to different types of play that allow them to express themselves while using their imaginations and being physically active. According to the Center for Health Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness, “Play is child’s work”; this is true because it is a child’s job is to learn and develop in their first few years of life, in order for them to do this, they play (CHETNA). Not only is playing a child’s full time job, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights listed play as a right of every child (Ginsburg). Through their full time job of play, the children develop emotionally, socially, physically, and creatively. Children need to participate in child-led play in order to
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,
165 and Wood & Attfield's 1996, p.76.) It encourages children to develop the ability to control their actions and emotions and adjust them to the recognized social norm and in addition to that, play helps children to prepare themselves to become an active member of a culture and their own family by interacting with the people closest to them, such as parents and other family members (Vygotsky, as cited in Brennan, 2012, p.162.) As a result of this, their social and emotional development is advanced from an early stage.
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
In my own opinion I believe creative play is more important. I agree with the "Helping Children Play Creatively" article that creative play is important, it benefits the child by helping to enhance critical thinking, problem solving skills and social skills. I believe that a child should be able to free-play at a young age developing all the helpful skills listed above, Then As the child matures he will pick and chose what types of organized activities he wants to participate in. In self experience ive noticed a young child can be pressured into his parents decisions of what organized activity he or she is assigned to, thus possibly becoming stressed. On the other hand I do believe organized activities are also important. They teach
There is much controversy about what type of play is more important in a child's life. Some believe creative free-play is more important and others argue it is more important for children to participate in organized activities. Experts provide excellent reasoning on both subjects. As a mother, I think it's imporant to have a good balance of both free-play and organized activities.
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-
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.
Research, past and present, clearly points to the importance of play for the healthy and full development of the young child. Piaget theorized that a child's mental models, or cognitive structures, are based on the child's activities: engagement makes meaning. Many children today are not benefiting from a balance of intellect and imagination. Play is declining in our schools and preschools to meet the social