Huizinga's Homo Ludens Or Man The Player

Analyse the theoretical perspectives taken to learning and development through play Humanistic theory- says that children should have the chance to choose what they want to play with and carry out their own ideas. Adults should be supportive towards the child which will improve their confidence and self esteem. Social learning theory- children learn though copying other children and adults.

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.

This toy hits many of Piaget’s sensorimotor stages of development in a child beginning at age 6MO sub-stage 3 which was remarkable to me where one toy could assist with secondary circular reactions, coordination of secondary schemes, tertiary circular reaction and beginning of representational thought (Bee, Boyd, pg. 140). It is very easy to use for both small children and more advanced toddlers. I was impressed with the fact it is not a throw away toy after 6 months it can be used over several years and by multiple family members to assist with growth and development. After watching the video and reading information on this toy I would strongly recommend to parents who have children ranging in age 6MO to

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

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.

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.

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,

Play Education is the most important activity in the lives of children. Play is the foundation of learning for young children. For children play, is how they begin to understand and process their world? The best part for children is that play is fun and this keeps them always wanting more because they enjoy participating in it. Play education is for children up until age 12. And different ages are broken down into groups. Giving the child time and some few basic toys can provide them with a variety of valuable learning opportunities. It is important to let children explore and learn how to play, if the child can’t seem to figure it out then a person can guide them. Play Education is simple and very effective; this is an individual

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-

Reading to a child has a tremendous impact on their language development. The more a child is read to the more connections are made in the brain. Rereading the same book helps the child make connections between the way the words look and sound.

“ CBS News suggest that parents choose toys for their toddlers and preschoolers that teach skills because a young child’s brain will grab hold of these permanent marks and carry through with them all the way to adulthood.” (Halter) These playthings not only teach skills, but confidence, because they learn to enjoy accomplishing any task they face. Many say educational toys are the best way to go because it stimulate tools a child will use throughout their schooling.

Alice Sterling Honig, author of an article “Play: Ten Power Boosts for Children’s Early Learning”, states that “children gain powerful knowledge and useful social skills through play” (p.126). Honig, who believes that play is essential for young children’s development, points out ten ways in which children can learn through play activity.

When you think of play you don’t really think about or realize how important it really is in a child’s life. It consists of five elements, and these elements are the make-up and the meaning of play. The first element is that it is pleasurable and enjoyable. This means it must be fun! In order for it to be considered play, there must be a fun and enjoyable element to it. Play also has no extrinsic goal which means it is engaged for