The Functionalist View Of Play Essay

What is play? In Oxford dictionary the definition of play is not for practical or serious purpose rather it an activity which is based on one’s engagement for recreation and enjoyment. Being a play designer my definition of play is it helps in developing individuals and growing with others as a part of the community. It It strengths the family, helps in developing friendship and relationship. It increases your leisure skills, self esteem and worth. It acts as a power booster, energies, relaxes you increases emotional, mental

“Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. Children and young people determine and control the content and intent of their play by following their instincts, ideas and interests in their own way and for their own reasons. The child chooses when and how to play and this is seen as a biological drive, essential to health and well-being.”

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

“What makes something play and what play ‘means’ to culture continues to be potential redefined through changing social practice. The strength of the concept of play relies on the binding together of many different social conditions which people may understand as play, but which cannot be collectively defined by any firm set of rules or boundaries. Because play is not a distinct, discrete set of activities, but rather a characteristic which is present to varying degrees in many different kinds of human behavior, it is necessary to look at play from multiple perspectives, drawing together threads of analysis.”26

In this assignment I plan to explain how play helps to improve the development of children and young people. Play is extremely important for the development of children. It is important that from a young age children play with things like toys and even with other children. Between the ages of 0 – 3 is when children develop the most. Through play children can improve their fine and gross motor skills by using toys such as shape sorters and using musical tables which have buttons and things to turn. This helps to develop fine motor skills. Gross motor skills are developed through crawling and learning to walk. If children have toys that are spread out whilst

Play is central to the development of children, enabling them to make sense of their world as they learn through exploration and experimentation. Susan Isaacs said ‘play is indeed the child’s work and the means whereby he grows and develops’. (Isaacs,1929) Play can support a child’s social, emotional and behavioural development through the following:

Play doesn’t just happen. It is true that babies and young children are biologically disposed to play, but they will not develop their play unless they meet people and experience the situation that encourage the development of play. What adults provide has a direct impact on play. If adults

Play is a fundamental element to a child’s well-being and happiness. Evidence has shown that play contributes to a child’s health and future life chances. Without play or having restricted play it can negativity impact a child’s physical and mental health which can then lead to things such as obesity, rickets and attention deficit disorder.

Defining play can be very difficult. The term play can be used to illustrate a wide range of behaviors and activities, and can be perceived as both essential and insignificant to the child at the same time. Santrock (2012, p.437) suggests a definition of play as "a pleasurable activity that is engaged in for its own sake." However, this is argued by Kernan (2007, p.5) who states that none of the potential definitions are broad enough to encompass all of the meanings associated with play. Despite the lack of such universal definition, Rennie (2003, p.22) claims, that "we can recognize play across barriers of language, of culture, even of species", which conveys its importance in the life and development of children, as it is

Comparing the two short stories “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, and “The Rocking-Horse Winner,” By D.H. Lawrence, the two authors utilize symbols and themes to illustrate their stories with the main idea behind them both is that winning will not always result in a positive light.

Play can be seen taking action at every point of the human experience. The art of play could be seen practiced by court jesters in the middle ages. Similar to court jester modern humans practice play through stand up comedy. however, in modern time play can be practiced through, the creation of playful spaces. Playful spaces allow the individual to let their creative juices flow which leads to innovations. A tool that contributes to play is surrealism by permitting people to step out of the boundaries of reality and rational thinking. The art of play is vital to all humans, but the art of play is lost once people reach adulthood. The professors in the presentation state that "to be human is to play." I agree play is vital to all humans, but I believe it is unobtainable in today's busy society.

Often limited to children only, in today’s society “play” can be associated with adults as well. Play cannot be easily defined, but could be described by activity or behavior desired by an individual for pleasure (Henderson, 2010, p. 32). Often seen in leisure activity, it also has the ability to allow someone to express themselves in a passionate, energetic, imaginary way, whether the play is done in a systematic or an unsystematic manner, with no tangible goal or reward expected (Henderson, 2010, p. 9 & p. 33). Play differs from leisure, recreation, and sport significantly in the fact that play refers to behavior rather than the activity itself (Henderson, 2010, p. 45); however, it could be seen by some as an essential part of life that enables an individual to deal with internal conflict, socialize with others, and grants them the ability to function properly in our everyday life. Leisure is vital to an individual’s “quality of life” (Henderson, 2010, p.

Play is essential to children’s development; play is the way children develop new skills and enhance ones they already have. Play is a very important factor that helps children in the 4 areas of development, language, cognitive, social/moral, and physical.

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

Play play’s an important role on our lives starting as early as our childhood. To mention, our childhood play times leads us to our present play interest. To be more specific, our childhood attractions influences our current interest and even the way we currently do things. As an exemplary, Alex used to play cars with his grandpa out in the backyard in a dirt box. When Alex begin to explore his interested he recognized his had a passion for cars. During high school he joined an academic where they taught mechanics which led him to attend a local technical college. Alex has now graduated with a diploma from technical college and now has his own mechanical shop. As Dr. White states “… Play is just as pivotal for adults as it is for