31 Theories of Play

Shantha Maria B. V

Introduction

The unique character of a child is to play. Play is an out let of their enthusiasm for life to live. Play is an absolute necessity of life. The need for child’s play is supported by decades of research. A deprivation of play will have consequence on their growth and development. The school and parents prevent children from playing in open spaces, fields, and other special spaces traditional hall games,like ‘lagori’ are games almost forgotten. Children are enrolled in to clubs at younger age. This is further compounded when children sit still in front of screen television, vedio game and computer absorbing their imagination and reducing their interest in play.

Objective

To understand play scientifically with the help of theories and simple examples.

Nature of Play

Play is refreshing; Play is a common ingredient of healthy childhood. The child’s love for learning is linked with Zest for play. Children approach life with play full sprit in whatever they do be it physical skills, social relation or cognitive content. For children their seems life is full of work as they are playing all time .Example little ramesh one year old on a holiday at his grandparents house was over joyed to see a flight of steps , this gave him a vent to his desire to climb stairs over and over up and down till he had mastered it . He was focused, was happy, and did not wish to be taken away from the spot. The is because he was mastering a new skill important for later development. He did it himself explains that it is self – initiated play .Children are born with an urge to grow and learn, develop their capacities when play is the simplest medium or channel through which they operate.

Play and game

When we observe a six month old baby being very happy by squeeze a toy amused by the sound it makes , and a four year old putting all the pieces of paper in a row and pretending as if he was laying plates at a buffet for food to be served . All these are instances of play. They are self initiated play. It is very natural. This is a very seriously involved trade for the child anybody disturbing them would mean putting an end to natural flow of energy.

As children grow up the play becomes more organised like playing in two groups, a set of rules to be observed, following the rules through the play and at the end there is a winner and a looser. This is the basic difference between play and a game. In a game the end is more important. In play the process is important. Play is learning while game is testing one’s ability, comparing oneself to others and others rating one’s ability. The joy derived from each is different yet they are rewarding.

Play and domains of development

The main objective early childhood education is to encourage the various domains of development. Play is an important tool to achieve this. Play helps in building a healthy child. Our main aim in early childhood education is to build a healthy child. Or a holistic development that means paying importance to all round development. A play activity does not at any time focus on any one domain but two or more domains over lap. A clear line cannot be drawn to demarcate play that one simulates a specific domain. This does not matter to an early childhood educator as the objective of the early childhood education is more important. Let us understand sand play the child is actively involved, (attention) using hands (fine motor development) creating different moulds (concept development- shape cognitive domain), sharing material in the sand pit (social emotional domain) thus one can very confidently proclaim that play is integrates all domains of development.

A preschool educator or a parent need to understand the child’s needs abilities and interests at every age and stage of development by observing their behaviour. This will enable adults handling children to provide a suitable experience to master a particular domain. Ajith of one and half year old was enjoying by bouncing on the sofa; young mother rakshitha was very embraced as she considered this as bad manners. Based on the observation the elderly member in the family came up with a creative idea he designed a toy that encouraged him to bounce till he was satisfied. The role of adults is to understand what the child is trying to express and how they could be met.

All cultures have given importance to play as sites of excavation are a proof to this. Some social scientists have given theoretical interpretation to play. Based on their observations theory have been put forward, they could be classified as early classical theories and current theories.

The classical theories are

•  Surplus energy theory
• Relaxation Theory
• Pre- Exercise Theory
• Recapitulation Theory
• Growth Theory
• Ego Expanding Theories

Current theories of Play

• Infantile Dynamics
• Cathartic Theory
• Psychoanalytic theory
• Cognitive Theory

Early Classical Theories

1. Surplus Energy (Schiller 1873 – Spencer 1875)

A child is a source of surplus energy. This surplus energy needs a let out. Play is a channel to let out this energy. The young children do not have the burden of the adult world. The basic duty of the child is self –preservation through play. The surplus energy finds a release through play activities. Play is a means to spend this energy, though energy is also required for maintenance of self. Example- Adhivi a child of 2 years is fascinated by opening and closing the bottle cap and continues to do this in several such objects where ever she observes a two objects that one can be fitted in to the other, like pen and cap, lipstick, variety of bottle caps, and till he has mastered the skill of closing and opening act either screwing or by fitting. In an observational record of a mother she had recorded this act about five hundred times. This is the play activity fascinating at a particular age, at the same time spending all the energy to open and close and until she had mastered the task. This energy will transcend in to different play activities appropriate to a particular age. This skill is very essential to survive in the civilised world.

2. Relaxation Theory (Lazarus 1883 – Patrick 1916)

The primary aim of involving oneself in play again and again is due to the joy that one derives by getting involved in the play activity. In other words those who get involved in play get recreated, so play gives one recreation. In the process the fatigue that is accumulated is an individual is released. In the process one is ready to take up yet another task that is not familiar to him/her a cognitive active activity which is deep rooted for the race which may be Phylogenetically acquired behaviour. (Phylogenetic- the functions that are common to the race example all the development milestones. Ontogenic- functions that is specific to the individual and requiring training like classical dance, or any sport game.

These play skills live with one all life and even today we could see many elderly who still continue to do these mealy for relaxing joy that one derives. Helps in keeping one mentally and physically healthy.

3. Pre- Exercise Theory- (Groos-1898)

Play gives a child opportunity to exercise and learn those behaviours that are required for one’s survival. Let take a game of ‘ice spice’, all children run and hide, the older take care of the younger, one distracts the player by giving a wrong clue, the person who is the den can fix the limit in to which the children can wander. This gives one opportunity for social interaction, co operation, team efforts group, ect. In play one cannot shout at a team member for one’s performance. Both the player and members have to work out a strategy to cooperate as the team spirit is more important, one will cover the other for weakness. It is a win situation for both and a coping skill of life is learnt here.

4.  Recaptulation Theory (G’ Stanley Hall -1906 Wundt- 1913)

Play prepare one to the role that one will take later in life. Play helps one to develop instinctual skills to be modified. To erase primitive skill this is not accepted. Example it is primitive behaviour for one to grab a ball to throw in to the basket, but one has to follow certain rules before snatching the ball to shoot it in to the basket. Modified behaviour is not exhibit the instinct of snatching the ball. Recapitulating the practising the accepted behaviour /skill of snatching the ball.

Recapitulating the steps that one used to open an automated toy, will help him to understand the electrical wiring that is there on the circuit board. Each child passes through cultural stages that which is unique to his/her culture, this is nostalgic whenever they recall. Example -‘we played hop scotch’, the way we climbed on to the tree to bring down the kitten, the games we played on Janma Astami to keep oneself awake. ect.

5. Growth Theories (Appleton 1919)

Play is a generalised behaviour for growth of an individual. The movement the child able to respond to external environment, through sensory interpretation then begins the skill of mastering behaviour required for survival in a particular environment. Example simple act of using a spoon. To aiming a target, with a ball or marble (concentration), and similar activities that are required for successful life. A child is scared to slide down at first as he gains confidence is able to do it independently and this gives him the confidence of mastering the environment. (To overcome fear heights, this is a skill required for later life.)

The peg board play of a child will help him/her in finer motor co ordination. The ability to use a striker in carom board is so unique which can be transferred to using a compass or instruments in chemistry laboratory.

6. Ego Expanding Theories- (Lange- 1902 Claprade-1911)

Play helps in an ego communicative exercise preparing one for later personality development. Play aids in personality development by virtually creating a stage for being a leader/looser/ follower / initiator/ problem solver. The child learns to accept to play each of these rolls successfully in enabling in one widen out ones modified ego. We could pick up any game and analyse for the above features. Let us take jungle Jim the one who climbs high will be a leader, will motivate one who cannot climb gives him/her the confidence to initiate the climb. The one who attempts becomes a follower. This situation can be observed in all of the play activities.

Current theories of Play

1. Infantile Dynamics Theory (Lewin)

The cognitive space of a child is imperfect as she /he is in the process of forming image based on experiences which are real or imaginary some time and child from unrealistic world realises the realistic world. The child from playful experiences realises the realistic. During early child hood believing that the ‘boogy’ man will come and carry away. This will change as cognitive space improves. The blind folded play that children most often play.

Cathartic Theory- (Freud 1908)

Play is away that a child resolves the conflicts when she /he do not have other opportunities to let out to resolve conflicts. Punching a bag, using hands to kneed clay / or modelling an adult’s role on a toy or a younger sibling which they cannot do on the adult figure which inflected this on them. It could be any one in his environment. Example, imagining all cushions and pillows to be students and modelling as a teacher. Using a stick to ask children to keep reading or to answer a question ect.

Psychoanalytic theory – ( Buhler-1930 Anna Freud 1937)

According to this theory a child masters a particular skill through repetition .A 3year old may jump from a foot high stool. As he/she jumps feels that he has accomplished a great task that was challenging. This gives him confidence. Similarly in ability to climb Jungle Jim may cause anxiety but with support and encouragement one may master the same which would give them the confidence. The lesson of coping is learnt. The ability to overcome anxiety causing factor. Play helps one to defend and cope with number of anxiety causing situations in life.

Cognitive Theory (Piaget – 1962)

The core of Paige’s theory is assimilation and accommodation. Play encourages an individual to integrate the experience in to arriving at equilibrium. The integrates his new experiences in to relatively limited number motor and cognitive skills available at age. Example the at infancy puts everything in to his mouth, as this the oral stimulus is comparatively high based on his experience of the child will assimilate the information, this is true in all ages, child throws the ball in the beginning with great effort using his whole body (accommodation), as one learns the skill of throwing the ball effectively with experience (assimilation) would have set in. In short the initial attempts are the modified to skilled attempts.

The above theories are a scientific interpretation of the play behaviour that has been observed. This helps us in understanding the value of play. All the theories contribute in one or another way in understanding the play behaviour. Brains function is aided by play. It helps in learning about the adult world around in a non fear full way. Play facilitates children to express their creative ideas. Cognitive and emotional skills improve. While playing children are encountered to make decision, discover new interest and explore the world at one’s own pace.

Play activity helps children to improve child’s mobility, balance, coordination and strength. Good ability to process non verbal stimuli. While at play children have to be alert to respond to the opponent at the right time one has to make the right move, this would call for concentration, if it is an outdoor game the player has to be on the move. If one does not it is a very costly experiment. let us take for example a play of skipping if the player does not jump at the right time from the rope may hurt as he is not able to respond at the correct. The body has to co- operate by being agile and skip, let us imagine two of them playing the same game where the two have to synchronise this same act perfectly to achieve mastery.

Let us continue to look at the same game from the cognitive dimension, one has to concentrate on the speed, movement at of the body at the right time, to get ready to respond for the next act at the same movement with without, the longer one would keep going the superior one would be in mastering the skill. Thus helps in improving cognitive abilities, verbal communication abilities to negotiate for the lapse till one is able to perfect.

The emotional benefits of play are many

1)  Decision making

2)  Confidence

3)  Problem solving

Let us now look at a group play where they are playing’ lion is in the den’ the team members have to be alert to not to let the person from out of the circle to come in, make appropriate move to cover, the child outside the circle has to solve the problem by judging the right point to move in for the child outside it is problem solving task, as to move in. On the success of the members they develop confidence. Children improve based on their performance and mistakes are over come in every attempt. Thus the child learns by experience.

Play is detrimental to ones development. Lack of physical play can lead to long term health and issues related to weight. The absence of free play can adversely influence mental health. In families where the children are to keep to a strict schedule fail to derive benefits of free play which is very essential for development Technology has to some extent influenced on children’s active play.

   Summary

Play is an innate gift that is given to mankind to understand the world around. Play is unique to each age group. Play shows the zeal one has in life. Play was observed in many cultures in early civilisations. Play has cultural implications. Play is detrimental

To healthy growth and development of a child. The latest research claims that play is detrimental to brain development. The adult has to provide an appropriate situation and environment for the child to play. The play is understood based on the theories of play. The theories help us in understanding play scientifically. The play behaviour is universally in aliment to play irrespective of race/sex and culture. Play behaviour could be interpreted with more than one theory to understand the benefits to a growing young child. It could be classical theory or current theory. It could understand the surplus energy level or cognitive interpretation of behaviour.

Play has number of benefits to children irrespective of age. Children need to be involved actively at play. Play encompasses more than one domain at a time. The domains of development cannot be separated based on play it is integrated. Play has physical, social emotional and cognitive benefits. Play helps in children’s physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and socio emotional domains of development. Play enhances creative, cognitive, communicative and problem solving ability.

The pressure of the modern world has in hastened in the pace of child development. This has caused the impediment in growth and development of children. The modern urban cities have not planned for the needs of young children. The natural environmental setting does not exist anymore to initiate children in to play. Technology has also deprived children from active play. Policy makers, educationists and planners have all to work together to redefine play for children.

Web links

• http://www.csun.edu/~sb4310/theoriesplay.htm
• http://msuextension.org/publications/HomeHealthandFamily/MT201003HR.pdf
• http://www.kidspot.com.au/discoverycentre/Development-Development-The-power-of-play-to-boost-childrens-development+5395+553+article.htm
• http://www.kidspot.com.au/discoverycentre/Development-Development-The-power-of-play-to-boost-childrens-development+5395+553+article.htm