VALUE OF PLAY

What is Play?

• In order for an activity to be called play, the player must choose to participate; a play activity is self-chosen.

• The child controls how long they will participate.• The child defines the goals of the activity.• Play is active, not passive. It is interactive.• Play has no rules.• Children playing outdoors often have more freedom

than is typical of indoor play.

Self chosen play; the child chooses how long he will participate.

Outdoor play has more freedom than inside play.

Why do children need creative “Play” time?

What is the Purpose?• Play is like a child's “work”• It is Child’s natural way of learning• It stimulates creativity• Allows them freedom to explore

their interests• It will help them develop socially,

emotionally, and physically• Play builds a foundation for future

learning.

How does it help them develop socially?

• Play helps children consider the viewpoints of their playmates

• They learn to be leaders and followers

• They learn to work together

• They learn to share

• They learn who they like to play with and who they can get along with.

How does it helps them develop emotionally?

• Stimulate a child’s imagination• Play helps children develop and

strengthen organizing abilities• They come up with problems and

solutions

How does it helps them develop physically?

• Play helps children achieve both fine and gross motor control.

• Using buttons, snaps, opening and closing things all help with fine motor skills

• Carrying, moving, lifting, jumping all develop gross or large motor skills

Appropriate activities for Preschool age children

that promote creative play• Imaginary Worlds• Dress-Up• Imitating adult figure• Dolls and Stuffed Toys• Drawing and Painting• Make-believe play• Blocks

What do children play with?

Many children prefer to play with the boxes their gift comes in rather than playing with the gift itself.!!!

A preschool should:

• Provide Toys that are safe and fun• Promote exercise and coordination• Offer multiple stations for “play”

including dress up blocks etc..• Encourage creativity

Creativity Is A Must!

• Select open-ended toys that have a variety of uses like sand, water, or blocks.

What are the different types of play?

Associative Play

• Children play together but in a loosely organized fashion.

Musical chairs.

Parallel Play• Play in which several

children are playing with the same materials, but each is playing independently.

Playing in cornmeal and cooking materials, but not together.

Solitary Play

• Children play without regard for what other children around them are doing.

Concentrating on coloring a snowman with Crayola markers.

Guided Play

• The teacher has selected specific materials from which the child must choose in order to discover specific concepts.

Experimenting with mixing colors using test tubes, pipettes and water coloring.

Free play

• Children may choose how they use the materials. Children have as many choices as possible.

Open-ended blocks and farm animals.