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 children think differently in different ages. Finally there is the psychodynamic approach which originated from Sigmond Freud who focuses on the influence of emotions on thinking and behavior.
A child (3-7) is in the early stages of human development and is developing in the four approaches I have just mentioned. Play is a crucial component in the development of all children, it is so important in child development that it's been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, “Play…contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.”
Theories in play
There are a quite a few theories of play and how it promotes human development. I will look at some from the past and present. Starting off I want to look at Piagets work. Like I have mentioned earlier, Piaget came up with the cognitive development approach. The process looks like this:
Piagets Cognitive Development Stages
- Sensorimoter (Birth- 2yrs)
2. Preoperational (2-7yrs old)
3. Concrete operational (7-11yrs old)
4. Formal Operational Adolescence adult
Piagets view on play was that plays purpose was to help children learn. He believed that children progress through the four development stages and that the stages are linked to their ages. He explained that a child is still developing but has an incomplete understanding of the wider world. He mentions that play is an activity for pleasure and that children learn from their own experiences
Stages of play
- sensori motor play – Sensori –motor stage 0-2
- Symbolic play – Pre-operational stage 2-7
- Rule-bound play – Concrete operational stage 7-11
Piaget looks at different types of play through the stages of human development. First comes sensorimotor play. This is where a child engages in motor movements with early natural reflexes followed by intentional movements for example a baby that touches something that makes a noise, it was accidental however the child learns that by moving his arm and touching the object a noise happens so the child learns to touch it. These early actions are trial and error and the child develops and their actions become more deliberate. This sort of play shows how children start to learn from an early age and that they are developing their mind and body hence moving along the line of human development.
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. Play is important to children as it provides them with the opportunity to express opinions and allows children to express negative emotions, which are unacceptable in their lives. Play allows children their imaginative skills and develops their personalities through play children develop their problem solving skills and their creativity. (Piaget, J. 1951)
Reflecting on Piagets work I do feel that children do go through phases and different stages in play in order to learn and develop new skills whether that is physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. I believe that children play because they want to play and they gain enjoyment from it. The learning they might not acknowledge but as adults we can see what children learn. In spite of Piaget being correct or not, it is safe to say that this theory of cognitive development has had a tremendous influence on all modern developmental psychologists and that the theory does highlight that play is important and that it promotes human development.
A current theorist named Bob Hughes who is an experienced play worker has his own theory of evolutionary play work. He believes that children have to play in order for the human race to carry on and not be extinct. He feels that a child’s learning are past on generation to generation and those children needed to have a connection to the natural environment and have a chance to play in that environment.
Hughes stresses that children need to be able to have freedom to express themselves and learn the kills of survival as each generation met new challenges so learnt how to overcome them hence why he says children in this generation need to have their own play spaces that are not designed and controlled by adults. Hughes has come up with 15 different play types that he says children learn through. A few to mention are Mastery play, objective play, and deep play.
Mastery play is when a child observes and reflects on an interest he or she has in the environment. For example a child builds a shelter in the woods however it rains and because they did not think about the water they have to think how to keep it waterproof and hence it gives a child an opportunity to master an element of interest. As (Janet, R. Moyles 1989 pg 87) writes ‘’Play provides activities in which skills can be practised, both physical and mental, and repeated as many times as is necessary for confidence and mastery’’
Secondly Objective play could be when a child uses their own imagination and movements to create play with an object. Let’s say for example a child has a teddy bear but they change that teddy bear into an alien and see it differently.
Finally there is deep play, this is when a child includes risk taking play and experiences which adults may find life threatening e.g. playing on school roofs, climbing high trees, and playing in the road. This type of play I feel in today’s society is Young people are not aloud to take risks.
When it comes to play, playing in nursery or at home people still are taking caution. When a child is playing certain games a CPY worker may see this as risky behaviour and against work policy, Even if the child could be building their self-confidence and self esteem. Other factors such as fear may also be a contributing factor on how children play, for example parents are fearful of paedophiles and abductors so they choose where and where not to play.
Bob Hughes evolutionary theory stresses that play is important because it enables humans to form an identity and know who we are, he points out that play is needed for a human to develop and that if children do not play then the later generations will be affected. He says ‘’Play is an incredibly effective way for children to gain understanding of where they are and of what they are doing’’
(Hughes, B.2001)
He also stresses the importance of playing in the natural environment, looking at society now and the community development that is happening a lot of children’s play areas are being knocked down and built upon which I think will effect the environment where children can play. As a child I loved playing in the natural environment and I feel children like to actually play in areas that are natural and not man made. As new technology is appearing so quickly the natural way of playing is slowing down as new computers, videos games are being created young people are pushed to take part in new ways of playing. Even though society is moving on, what we have now we did not have many years ago and children are pressured by peers and the media to play on something that may not give them the learning they could achieve through conventional play.
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.
Bibliography
- Fröbel, F. (1826) On the Education of Man (Die Menschenerziehung), Keilhau/Leipzig: Wienbrach
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- Hughes, B (2001). Evolutionary Playwork and Reflective Analytic Practice. London: Routledge
- Janet R. Moyles (1989) Just Playing? The Role and Status of Play in Early Childhood Education. Open University Press
- Piaget, J (1951) Play, Dreams and Imitation in Childhood, London, Williams Heinemann Ltd
- Playlink, (1997). Risk and Safety in Play. The law and practice for adventure playgrounds. United Kingdom. Routledge