© 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. Understanding Play: Its Importance in Developmentally Appropriate Practice Chapter 2

© 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. What Is Play? a.Pleasurable b.Self-selected c.Intrinsically motivated and spontaneous d.Nonliteral or symbolic e.Actively engages children f.Encourages attention on the means, not the end

© 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. Categories of Play Functional (Sensorimotor or Practice Play) Blocks Puzzles Climbing Skating Symbolic (Constructive and Dramatic Play) Paints Dress-up Clay LEGOs Games with Rules Kick ball Checkers Little League

© 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. Social Stages of Play Onlooker behavior Solitary play Parallel play Associative group play Cooperative play

© 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. Play and Development Piaget constructivist three kinds of knowledge Vygotsky Scaffolding Cognitive Development Practice divergent thinking Emotional Development child’s ego development Social Development solving social problems through play Physical Development gross and fine motor skills

© 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. Play as Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Provides for all areas of child’s development Emphasizes learning as active/interactive process Presents highly motivated opportunities for learning Is pleasurable Allows for differences in developmental ability, interest, and learning style Contributes to brain development Promotes acquisition of foundational skills

© 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. Conditions That Support Play Physical context of play Real-world experiences Teacher intervention –helping children plan and organize play –prompting to add new ideas –modeling to demonstrate behaviors –providing props

© 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. Issues Involving Play Violent play Cultural influences on play Play for children with special needs