Paper
Playing For More Than Fun
In the fast-paced world of the twenty-first century, many parents are more concerned with their child’s education than how well they are developing by playing. Fifteen years ago, when I was four, preschool was simply a form of daycare. Now it is practically a requirement for three and four year olds. Parents are continually questioning how their child will develop educationally. I am constantly hearing about children, who at the age of three, are in so many activities that they are on the go from morning until night. All this is in preparation for a well-rounded education. But, has anyone ever stopped to think that the time taken away from a child’s free play would be detrimental to his or her development?
In the past decade psychologists have begun heavily questioning this themselves. A child begins to show signs of playing at the age of eight months when they respond to the popular game of peek-a-boo. According to Stanley Greenspan from Parents Magazine this is the time parents should start to free play with their children. As a child grows so will their form of play. Children should play by themselves to develop their creativity, but Greenspan states that parents should also commit at least twenty-five minutes a day to be a playmate (Greenspan 80). This may not seem like very much time, but sadly, parents have a hard time integrating even this little play into their busy schedules.
Being a playmate sounds a lot easier than it really is. Many parents see play as way to install morals into their children. This is fine; however the child should choose the games and set the tone for playtime together (Greenspan 80). Playing with a child allows a parent to expand their child’s knowledge and help them explore new concepts. Parents should be sure to encourage the child to be more curious, be an active learner, and provide an important head start for preschool and beyond.
Playing is not only a way to pass time though. It also paves the way for exploring emotions. When parents join in play, they can often help a child identify and reveal private feelings- whether they are needy, scary, anxious, or angry ones. Pretend play offers a child an outlet to express their feelings and lets a parent know what the child is feeling. Expressions of anger may make parents feel uncomfortable. But, censoring a child’s angry emotions during play may actually encourage them to express them in real life. Instead, a parent’s warmth, empathy, and support when a child acts out such negative emotions during play teach the child that the feeling of anger can exist side by side with the feeling of love. That, in turn, may help tame their anger. When a child begins to show anger through play, ask why the character is angry and what will make the character feel better (Greenspan 82).
When a child does begin school, textbooks should not replace play. Play, as well as a simple break during an hour of lesson, can actually increase the child’s performance (Moses 39). As part of the Trois Riviers project in Canada, entire primary school classrooms received an additional five-hour of physical education per week. The control classrooms received no physical education. The academic performance of the children in the experimental group was superior to that of the control group (Pellegrini 585). These results are consistent with a study that Stevenson and Lee later did in 1998. In the study they suggested that the frequent break between periods of intense work in Japanese schools (usually ten minutes every hour) maximized children’s cognitive performance (Pellegrini 585).
These studies seem to go hand in hand with Eppley’s article entitled ” School Should be a Place For Praise and Laughter” in Building Bridges to Academic Writing by Eppley and Eppley. In the essay he states that we should laugh and praise more in schools so it can be a more positive experience for children. Maybe we should play more as well.
Schools are increasingly looking for ways to improve test score and maintain children’s interest. As these studies have shown playing may actually be the answer that works. Although psychologists have just begun to study the effects of play on development it seems to be more important than ever believed. Playing may just be the one thing that helps children become well rounded and unique.
Works Cited
Eppley, George. “School Should Be a Place for Praise and Laughter.” Building Bridges to Academic Writing. California: Mayfield Publishing Company,1997.176-177.
Greenspan, Stanley. “Power Play.” Parents Magazine Feb. 1999: 79-81.
Moses, Barbara. “Career advice for Kids: Play More.” The Futurist Jan. 1999: 39.
Pellegrini, A.D., and Peter K. Smith. ” Physical Activity Play: The Nature and Function of a Neglected Aspect of Play.” Child Development 69 (1998) : 577-592.
Другие работы по теме:
Being A Musician Essay Research Paper Music
Being A Musician Essay, Research Paper Music is an ever-changing style. People listen to music of all types everyday. What most people don’t know is what it takes to make that music they listen to. Today’s music is a lot different than music prior to the 80’s. Machines can almost do all the work for some of the songs you hear on the radio today, but there are still some groups who do it the real way.
Turf Essay Research Paper Tough StuffEvery Saturday
Turf Essay, Research Paper Tough Stuff Every Saturday college football players line up and dig their cleates and hands into the playing surface. Some playing fields are hard while others are soft, some are bone dry while others are pure mud. There have been some great advances in college football over the years but I think one of the greatest inventions is the creation of Field Turf.
As A Child Essay Research Paper As
As A Child Essay, Research Paper As a child, I was no exception. Three games that I especially enjoyed were Freeze Tag, Hide and Seek, and Truth or Dare. When I was little I used to play all three
Philosophy Essay Research Paper Soren KierkegaardSoren Aabe
Philosophy Essay, Research Paper Soren Kierkegaard Soren Aabe Kierkegard was a Danish philosopher and religious thinker. He was born in Copenhagen on May 5, 1813. He was the youngest of 7 children. Kierkagaard had a disability that restricted him from playing with kids his own age. Because of this, he spent a lot of time with his father.
Glowworm Essay Research Paper The GlowwormAfter reading
Glow-worm Essay, Research Paper The Glow-worm After reading ?The Glow-worm? by Charlotte Smith, I almost felt a bond with the child in the poem. I can remember how I enjoyed playing outside on a spring evening when I was young. I found it completely amazing to see a bug with a glowing butt. I would run around my backyard, trying to catch as many as I could.
Basketball Then And Now Essay Research Paper
“Hello everyone and welcome to the NBA Finals game one! We will be right back to cover the tip off on NBA on NBC!” This is what you would hear nowadays when TV as completely changed the game in the NBA.
Addicted To Internet Essay Research Paper ADDICTED
Addicted To Internet Essay, Research Paper ADDICTED TO INTERNET In the past several years many people have been getting computer literate. As time passes by, people also have been getting addicted to their
Mozart Essay Research Paper WolfGang Amedeus MozartSymphony
Mozart Essay, Research Paper WolfGang Amedeus MozartSymphony No. 1 in C majar, K. 551 Jupiter First Movement: Allegro vivace The first theme begins with the whole orchestra playing a C loudly three times. The timpani s hit a third above. Then with a much softer dynamic the violins play a pleasant dotted rhythm melody, or the Lombardi rhythm.
Poem Destiny Essay Research Paper Sometimes I
Poem: Destiny Essay, Research Paper Sometimes I wonder if life is just meant to be If we have not a choice in the matter, or we really are free I walked down the street on one fine day
Crucible Essay Research Paper The Crucible is
Crucible Essay, Research Paper The Crucible is a play about witchcraft. It all begins with a group of young women playing with witchcraft taught by Tituba and Abigail William?s. Reverend
Joe Essay Research Paper aggressionPleasure sports are
Joe Essay, Research Paper aggression.Pleasure sports are simply played for pleasure. Score is usually not kept. The athletes participating are usually on occasion doing it for fun and exercise. A majority of athletes who have been playing sports since they were little, have probably been pounded into their heads that to be successful in sport, you need to be aggressive, and at some times, unnecessary.
Joy Luck Club Essay Research Paper Erica
Joy Luck Club Essay, Research Paper Erica Tam November 5, 2000 Final Draft In Amy Tan?s ?Two Kinds,? Tan uses the central conflict and symbolism to emphasize the idea that achieving the American Dream is a struggle and can lead to disappointment. The central conflict of the story is about the mother wanting her daughter to become a child prodigy, but her daughter cannot fulfill her mother?s dream.
Alice In Wonderland Essay Research Paper Lost
Alice In Wonderland Essay, Research Paper Lost in this land that?s so clearly make believe, my mind is playing tricks on me, and my eyes they do deceive. I feel through the looking glass and I hit the grassy floor,
Two Kinds
– Jing-Mei Character Analysis Essay, Research Paper While trying to understand the reasons for her mother wanting Jing-Mei to be great, Jing-Mei discovers the real meaning of two kinds. ?Two Kinds? is written by Amy Tan. Jing-Mei, a young Chinese girl, grew up in America with her mother, a member of the Joy Luck Club.
Miles Davis Essay Research Paper Miles Dewey
Miles Davis Essay, Research Paper Miles Dewey Davis was born on the 26th of May 1926, in Alton, Illinois. He became famous around the world for his incredible trumpet and flugelhorn playing, but he was
A Dream Shattered Essay Research Paper As
A Dream Shattered Essay, Research Paper As children, littlegirls have one common dream: to have children. Playing house with their friends and playing with their babydolls have become the most frequent games played by little girls in hopes of one day being a mom themselves. At that age, even at older ages, girls do not think of the consequences that come with getting pregnant and having a baby.
Bass Essay Research Paper Noting pulsating beats
Bass Essay, Research Paper Noting pulsating beats while listening to any song brings one thing to mind, the electric bass. Playing the bass is easy to learn but difficult to master. It takes time, dedication and hard work to master this skill. You must first learn how to hold the bass, also the proper way to play the strings, but then be able to put that with scales, and good timing.
Field Of Dreams Essay Research Paper The
Field Of Dreams Essay, Research Paper The “Field of Dreams” Essay The Field of Dreams story has 5 characters that have a second chance in their life. In this essay the second paragraph would be about Ray Kinsella that if it is really heaven in the “field of dreams”. The third paragraph would be about John Kinsella & “Shoeless” Joe Jackson of both of them having a desire to play baseball.
Expository Essay On A Farewell To Arms
Essay, Research Paper Ernest Hemmingway’s A Farewell to Arms, the protagonist, Frederic Henry is both dysfunctional and tragic. Throughout the story Henry lives up to this
Music Essay Research Paper Tonight I went
Music Essay, Research Paper Tonight I went to my first concert. I saw the Duquesne University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Robert C. Cameron conducted both the Symphony and Band. The Wind Symphony began the night by playing the Dedication Overture and then proceeded on to what was my favorite piece of the concert, Old American Country Set.
No One
’s A Mystery Essay, Research Paper Career choice, for many individuals in our society, is a sociological issue. (Brooks-Gunn & Schempp-Matthews, 1979). We tend to imitate what we see that we
Luke Essay Research Paper Baldwins s Vow
Luke Essay, Research Paper Baldwins s Vow Luke Baldwin’s Vow is a story written by Morley Callaghan. It is a story about the vow Luke makes. In this essay I will tell you about the good and bad things that Luke goes through.
Ac Greeen Essay Research Paper AC Green
Ac. Greeen Essay, Research Paper A.C Green by A.C Green . Green tells about his life and how he made it to the NBA .He also tells how he got closer to God and accepted him as his savior
Big Green Trees Essay Research Paper Big
Big Green Trees Essay, Research Paper Big green trees Is what I see, Looking at me happily Bright green grass As thick as can be, Feels so very soft to me Birds and squirrels are playing around
Society Is Evil Essay Research Paper Humans
Society Is Evil Essay, Research Paper Humans are both good and evil. I heard somebody say that society makes you evil, but I don?t agree. Society labels you as evil. Con-artists are at
John Stubbs
’ “Love And Role Playing In A Farewell To Arms” Essay, Research Paper John Stubbs’ “Love and Role Playing in A Farewell to Arms” John Stubbs’ essay is an examination of the defense which he believes Henry and
Teacher Essay Research Paper Ever since I
Teacher Essay, Research Paper Ever since I was five years old, I was always playing teacher (not house like most kids my age). I made my sisters act as the students while I played the teacher. I wrote on the chalkboard, gave them worksheets,
Childhood Toys Essay Research Paper Wham bang
Childhood Toys Essay, Research Paper Wham, bang, hay-ya! Those were probably the kinds of sounds you might have heard if you passed by my room as a child. All of those greatly preformed sound effects came from none other than myself, unless I had a friends help who was of course only allowed to be the villain in whichever toys we were playing.
The Change Essay Research Paper EssayIn this
The Change Essay, Research Paper Essay In this essay I am supposed to discuss a project or activity that best represents me. I thought about this for a while, and I decided I would talk about my piano lessons. My parents didn?t make me take them, and I didn?t take them because it was “just something to do.” There is a lot behind the story.
Piano Teaching Method Essay Research Paper PIANO
Piano Teaching Method Essay, Research Paper PIANO TEACHING METHOD There is lots of piano teaching method and each one has its strengths and weaknesses. Now, I am going to inform you about the most common three methods for children ? Alfred, Suzuki, Amadeus.
Most Of The Human Behavior Is A
Poduct Of The Brai Essay, Research Paper The brain is know as the CPU of our body. As a microprocessor controls each actions that a computer performs as the brain does in our own body. The brain is the most powerful organ in our body. It has been gaining his power since the human being started to nurture it from the outside world using the input devices known as the five senses.That’s why all human behavior is a product of the brain.
Computer Violence Essay Research Paper Violent Computer
Computer Violence Essay, Research Paper Violent Computer Games A lot of adults say violent computer games make you violent. I disagree. When you are mad you can take out your anger while playing that game. Lots of kids I know have violent computer games and none of them are violent. Pretty much everything in this world has violence in it.