Leisure Sport Play Phys. Ed. Phys. Rec. Pause while they look… All of these could be seenon a continuum, and we’ll look at that in a moment………but here I’ve shown it with leisure as the umbrella concept, under which all the others can exist. So, people may play in their leisure time, they may do sport (I bet some of you do), they may recreate (again, I bet you do)………………… and PE? Well, hopefully you’ll experience things here that will prepare you for active leisure or lifetime sport…. Does everyone who takes part in sport do it in their leisure time - clearly not - for some it is a job, so again, it depends. Sport Play Phys. Ed. Phys. Rec.

Concepts Play Games

Questions on Play Why do children play? What valuable skills can be learnt through play? How does play change as a child get older? Role play

Play helps to develop important skills: decision making (cognitive development) Independence agreement (sharing)/ negotiation/compromise adherence to rules

Characteristics of Play Spontaneous Intrinsic value Voluntary No serious end product Self-initiated and self-regulated Social Creative and expressive Escape from reality

Child’s Play Learn social skills Learn to experience winning/losing Learn physical skills Learn about and experience the environment Learn to master reality

Adult at Play.. Relieves stress Relaxation Doesn’t have to be serious or productive (compared to work) Enjoyment Escape from reality

Are there any limits to ‘play’? TIME School bell Lesson time Play cut short due to players falling out/becoming bored SPACE Limited available space Other groups at play in the surrounding area

Do we ‘play’ when we are learning? Teachers use ‘play’ within P.E. lessons for several reasons: ‘Fun’ aspect to make the lesson more enjoyable. Emphasises participation over competition. Reduced significance of rules – this is beneficial for beginners as they learn basic skills with reduced limits on what they can do. Child led discovery.

Exam Question ‘09 Exercise and children’s play are believed to improve the health of a population. (i) What are the characteristics of children’s play? (4 marks) (ii) Why have the activity levels of children become an area of concern for the Government and health officials? (3 marks)

Mark Scheme (a) (i) 4 marks for 4 of: 1. Spontaneous/no pre-set rules (not just ‘no rules’) 2. Children make up rules/change rules 3. No constraints on time/boundaries/fluid playgroup/social/friends 4. Except for adult supervision/safety/sharing space 5. Intrinsic/fun/non-serious end product 6. Voluntary/choice

(ii) 3 marks for 3 of: 1. Children increasingly inactive/less active play 2. More sedentary activities e.g. TV/computers/fast food 3. Less walking to school/safety concerns 4. Obesity has increased/NHS costs 5. Proven link between lack of activity in young children and health problems later in life/prevent illness 6. Lack of participation in sporting activities can lead to lower self esteem/exclusion 7. More participation can increase citizens’ levels of skill/achievement/ social skills/inclusion/more medals/more elite performers