1. 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.

2. Concepts
Play
Games

3. 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

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

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

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

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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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)

11. 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

12. (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