Importance of Play
| Subject: | 🎓 Education |
| Type: | Synthesis Essay |
| Pages: | 3 |
| Word count: | 873 |
| Topics: | Teaching Philosophy, Early Childhood Education |
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This paper looks at the importance of play, and how it affects the learning process of a child, and his later life. Play is an important component of the growth of a child. The right of a child to play is an issue that is recognized by the UN Commission for Human Rights. Nonetheless, because of a variety of factors, such as child labor, war and poverty, some children are denied this important right to play (Ginsburg 7). Moreover, even children who are coming from privileged background are having difficulty to engage in their right to play. This is because majority of these children are being raised up in a pressured lifestyle, which limits their capability to find sufficient time for purposes of engaging in playful acts (Ginsburg 10). This has an impact of limiting their physical, cognitive and emotional development.
Therefore, child advocates have increased their displeasures and agitations against policies that seek to limit the capability of children to engage in playful activities (Ginsburg 12). An example is too much focus on academic work, to the extent that learning institutions do not develop curriculum that promote physical activities in the school.
One of the importance benefits of play in the learning process of a child is the fact that it helps them to develop their creativity (Ginsburg 17). Moreover, during this process of play, the child is able to develop his cognitive skills, emotional capabilities and physical strength. It helps a child to develop his imagination and the skills of solving complex problems that they may face during their learning process (Ginsburg 17). For example, when a child plays with his peers, he is able to know what the game entails, and the process of playing it. This kind of knowledge helps him to develop problem solving skills that are essential for the learning process. Moreover, creativity is developed when a child comes up with new methods of playing with his peers (Ginsburg 17). Note that, it is through play that the brain of a child develops. For a child to achieve success in the learning process, he must have a well development brain. This is an aspect of cognitive development, and it will help him understand what the teacher teaches in class, thus, giving him the capability of successfully participating in the academic programs and activities of the school.
In the view of Kearns (29), play is very important to a child because it gives him the opportunity to interact with the world; as a result, he acquires life skills that are important for him to succeed in his later life. One of the important life skills that can be acquired during the process of play is the capability of a child to communicate in an effective and efficient manner. Effective communication is acquired when these children talk with one another, and use body languages to pass on messages during the process of play. Moreover, Kearns (32) asserts that communication skills are one of the most important life skills that can help a child during his later day lives. For instance, no matter how qualified a person is, without efficient and effective communication, chance of him landing a good job is difficult. This is because he will find it difficult to express himself.
Note that, most employers are now shifting from the traditional view of a good candidate that was based on his excellence in academic qualifications. They now require their employees to be all rounded, possessing life skills that can help them succeed in their organizations. Example of much sought after life skills are the capability of an applicant to work as a group, and with minimal supervision. These are skills that a child acquires when he is playing with his peers. For instance, undirected play gives children the opportunity to work in groups, and to negotiate with one another, for purpose of solving the various conflicts they encounter. Therefore, they get the skills and capabilities that enable them to work in groups, and solve conflicts or problems. These are much sought after skills by employers.
Additionally, play enables a child to explore their world, and master it. This enables children to conquer their fears, while practicing the various roles that are assigned to them, during play. Furthermore, while engaging in playful activities, a child grows in confidence, reliability and resilience. These are some very important attributes that children need to effectively face and overcame future challenges (Ginsburg 17). It is an obvious fact that without resilience and confidence, a child will find it difficult to take risks and overcame the challenges that emerge due to the risks taken. Taking of risks is very important for a person, because it will determine the chances of them being successful in life.
Finally, play is important for a child, because it helps to improve his learning process, and gives him the skills that are needed for a successful future. Play leads to the cognitive development of a child, and this is an essential skills needed for successful learning process. Moreover, play instills life skills such as capability to work in groups, resilience, communication skills, confidence etc. These are important skills that can help a child overcame future challenges.
- Ginsburg, Kenneth R. “The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds.” Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1 Jan. 2007, pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/182.
- Kearns, Karen. Frameworks for Learning & Development. Pearson Higher Education AU, 2010.
Offered for reference purposes only.