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Introduction

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. ...read more.

Middle

The second stage can be said to be symbolic play. This is where children use object to create a symbolic representation. For example a child can use a blanket to create a superhero cloak and a roll of toilet paper as super binoculars. At this stage a child uses there own imagination and see things form their own point of view this type of play goes to show how children are thinking about the world around them and are importing ideas into their play. Play is an incredibly effective way for children to gain understanding of where they are and of what they are doing. (Hughes, B .2001) The third stage is rule bound play. This is where a child starts to understand rules and also comes across problem solving. Here children use there logic in playing these games and hence learning and developing themselves. Piaget thought that play highly promoted human development. Play begins as soon as there is predominance of assimilation play generates social, physical emotion and social skills when a child plays or performs a task they gain skills. Play allows children to develop and improve on skills, which they will need later on in life. Play is generally regarded as something what is done for enjoyment or pleasure. ...read more.

Conclusion

Conclusion Play can be seen in different ways. Some may say that it is just part of growing up and is just pure enjoyment and fun. Many others may say that it is much deeper than that as play influences the Childs spiritual, physical intellectual, cultural and emotional development. I believe that Play has a great impact on a child's life and it can be seen without play there would be no development. ...play is essential part of every child's life and vital to the process of human development. It provides the mechanism for children to explore the world around them and the medium through which skills are developed and practised. It is essential for physical, emotional and spiritual growth, intellectual and educational development, and acquiring social and behavioural skills. (Playlink, (1997) As a CPY worker I understand how play promotes human development but also realise that in today's world the natural instinct of play and being free to play is increasingly hard when we have frameworks such as the Every Child Matters that I feel represses the elements of play work and plans out outcomes for children. The assignment has made me more conscious of play work and the different theories that are embedded in play. However I have realised and fully understand the seriousness of play and how it helps children develop, I just have to look at my own play I did as a child and count myself lucky. ...read more.

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