Play Work

Introduction

What is play? And how does it promote human development? In this assignment I will discuss the theory of play and its importance in human development. I firstly will define what play is and what constitutes human development, secondly look at the different theories past and present on play, and finally discuss how play promotes human development.

What is play?

This question could be asked to anyone anywhere in the world and you will always get an answer. Play is something that all children do and what all adults have done. It is a natural instinct / desire that you do in childhood.

A definition is given by the children’s play council. This definition sums up what play is al about, they say ‘Play is freely chosen; personally directed, intrinsically motivated behaviour that actively engages the child…Play can be fun or serious. Through play children explore social, material and imaginary worlds and their relationship with them, elaborating all the while a flexible range of responses to the challenges they encounter.’  

http://www.harlow.gov.uk/pdf/1.%20Introduction.pdf

Play is a process where one child grows naturally mentally, physically and emotionally. Children are free to use their imagination and do what they want to do. For example in play children can use their imagination and role play being a doctor or teacher or an action hero. 

Children can play anywhere and everywhere especially when they have been given time to be free to enjoy and express themselves. It is an enjoyable fun time where children can experiment and learn new skills. Play may take place alone or with other children or adults when children and young people are playing they are doing what they want to do, in a way they want to.

Play is sometimes supervised but this depends on the environment they are in for example if they are in nursery then a teacher or play worker will supervise them. However Play doesn’t belong to adults because it’s not something that adults can touch, hold or control but a free choice that belongs in the imagination of the child. Play itself is a free spirit that enables the child to explore, grow and develop in their environment at their own pace and time in a place of their own choosing.

Play is something that is inside a child and it is a way of encouraging development in a natural fun way. Play is about learning as well as developing a child’s knowledge, skills and social learning. Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a Child’s soul.

                                                                  (Froebel, F.1826)

Human development

Human development is a process of growing up to maturity physically and mentally. The human develops in stages starting from the embryo to foetus to a baby. He or she then develops to become a toddler, then from pre-pubescence to adolescence and finally to adulthood.

From each stage there are changes occurring, these are not only physical changes, but mental changes and emotional changes too.  Humans develop over time there is the natural physical growth and there is the natural mental growth. The physical and mental grow together. The child eats food to be stronger and the child needs love and comfort to be stronger.

Join now!

There are a few different approaches to what constitutes human development; there is firstly the biological approach which looks at the physical organic development. This approach originated from the biologist Charles Darwin who formulated the evolutionary theory. Secondly there is the behavioral approach by John Watson which looks at how the environment molds and controls ones behavior and how behavior can be shaped by reward or punishment. Thirdly there is the cognitive approach which looks into the thinking process and how they change as people develop, this theory was researched by Jean Piaget who came up with the theory that ...

This is a preview of the whole essay