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The Definition of Play for Children: What is Play? What is a Child?The headline of this article, The Definition of Play forChildren, hints at the fact that the child and play are so inextricably intertwined that it's virtually impossible to discern where one leaves off and the other begins. Hence, we're left to conclude that the definition of play for children is what a kid naturally does. Youngsters are born to play. It appears to be hardwired into their brilliant, growing brains. Why? Perhaps because play is learning that is interesting and fun. Programming the brain for play stimulates the youngster to want to play more and, therefore, learn more-a great combination for a brain that must build up massive stores of knowledge in preparation for adulthood. What's more, part of the definition of play for children, concerns the fact that play is a kid's way of being in the world. It's her way of learning from and expressing herself in the world. Understanding the definition of play for children proves a difficult task because play is usually taken for granted by parents, as if it doesn't matter. Gaining a good understanding of the definition of play for children will help parents realize that play is the single healthiest task a child can occupy himself with. Play is what a child naturally does when left to his or her own devices. Play is an act, performed and enjoyed for its own sake, that enlivens and invigorates the spirit, is always interesting, and usually involves imagination, creativity and fun. Particularly in the case of youngsters, play facilitates learning. Play is how they learn. Play enlivens their brains to learn more and invigorates their bodies to do more. This particular definition of play for children differentiates between competitive play, like computer or football games, versus play as a group of kids playing with their stuffed animals or dolls. One situation emphasizes organized, structured play and all that goes with that, such as perfectionism, practice, and winning and losing. The second situation stresses fun and imagination. Hence, neither most computer games nor organized sports would be considered play under this definition. However, the neighborhood sandlot baseball games, where all ages often took part, including little sister, dad and even mom, for example, would be considered play. Our definition of play for children stresses the minimization of competition in healthy play. The difference between the organized game and the neighborhood game is due to the lessening of the competitive aspects of the game. Decreasing the importance of competition, not only allows more people to be involved, but it means other factors, like socializing, imagination and creativity become more prominent. The game becomes more about playing, instead of about winning and keeping track of the score. The sheer emphasis on winning or losing may be the greatest single factor limiting play. As it increases play plummets. The definition of play for children emphasizes increased human bonding. Play, by its very nature, is inclusive, which in turn, encourages greater bonding or connectedness between the participants. This is achieved, not just because everyone is allowed to play, but due to the creativity and imagination necessary to make it work. Enhancing factors exist in the definition of play for children. Some factors that enhance play are freedom from fear, and the freedom to go and play where you wish, as well as, freedom from interference of adults wishing to control or structure play. On the other hand, parents who encourage and enjoy their children's play, and let them know it, increase their youngster's joy of play. This positive communication may create greater emotional bonding between parents and children. Too often play is taken for granted by adults, as when we hear, "Johnny is just playing." They forget Johnny learned what his feet were and how to control them by playing with them. He learned how to move his body through space by playing. He learned to speak by playing with the coordination of his vocal reflexes. All these aspects of play are included in the definition of play for children. So vital is play that the Association for Childhood Education International has produced a position paper called "PLAY: ESSENTIAL FOR ALL CHILDREN." So critical is play to effective learning and to the mental and physical development of our youngsters, one might expect that it would have come to be a national priority by now. Concerning the definition of play for children, Karen MacPherson writes about the sad facts involving children and play:
simultaneously cutting both the joy of learning and the motivation to learn. This runs counter to the definition of play for children, which emphasizes the self-reinforcing relationship between learning and play. Notes, regarding the definition of play for children and the influence of technology on children's brains:
take home are:
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