Play, The “endangered” species of the classroom

“We don't quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because we quit playing.”

George Bernard Shaw

Discussion Question #1

1)Think back to your own childhood describe common summertime play activities.

2)What does summertime play look like for children today? How has play changed in the last 20 years?

Changing Nature of Play

“It is interesting to me that when we talk about play today, the first thing that comes to mind are toys.

Whereas when I would think of play in the 19th century, I would think of an activity rather than an

object...(in the past) they improvised play, whether it was in the outdoors...or whether it was on a street

corner or somebody's back yard. They regulated their play and made up their own rules.”

Howard Chudoff, play researcher Brown University

What is play?

What is the difference between structured play and free play?

Structured play = Rule based play Free Play = Dynamic, imaginative

interaction with either objects or peers or both objects and peers

Which type of play is most important to developing emotional intelligence?

My Play…”Ah Ha” Moment

Static vs. Dynamic

Playtime

“Play is the highest form of research”

Albert Einstein

Discussion #2 Question

What are the 3 most important ways children benefit from free play?

Play is Essential to Development Physical benefits Appropriate socialization Self-regulation Develops higher order thinking skills

Static vs. Dynamic

Text Poll

http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/MTY1NDMyNzAwNw

Physical benefits

Need for active play Reduces risk of obesity Reduction in depression Enjoyable!

International survey found outdoor play most enjoyable activity. 50% of mothers report children do not play outside enough.

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Appropriate socialization benefits Kathy Hirch Pasek studies – compared

academic pre-schools to play-based pre-schools

More anxiety, were less creative, had more negative attitudes towards school

1997 High Scope Study Age 23 arrest rates (1/3 vs. 1/10) -

Self-regulation = key to success in life

“Self-regulation predicts effective development in virtually every domain; in fact, good

executive function is a better predictor of success in schools than a child's IQ.”

Laura Berk, professor of psychology Illinois State University

Discussion Question #3

List the characteristics of a successful person?

http://wiffiti.com/screens/7483

Self-regulation research

1940's Standing Still Experiment

Rats Experiment – Social Deprivation

Stress Relief – 1984 study of 1st day of pre-school

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Play = Learning“Child-initiated play, not memorizing

information, is the vehicle through which children develop many of the skills that education reformers, and

business leaders say they need, such as collaboration, critical

thinking, and confidence” Kathy Hirsh-Pasek

Develops higher order thinking skills

Early Intervention play-based vs. academic instruction (105 vs. 85)

Rats Experiment – (BDFN Chemical Neuron Stimulator)

Block Experiment – Researchers gave blocks to a group of 18 month olds. 6 months later...

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The Predators of Play

“Play now appears to be a minor activity in most kindergarten classrooms.”Edward Miller, Director of Alliance

for Childhood

Organized Activities U of M research study of

free play 1987 (40%) 1997

(25%) Changed the way

parents interact with their children

40% of schools offer less than 30 minutes of recess in a 6 hour school day

Academic Pursuits

Direct instruction versus free play in classroom

Decline in attentiveness when recess is delayed

Screen Time

“The traditional culture of childhood is fast disappearing. In the past two decades alone, children have lost 12 hours of free time a week, and 8 of those were once spent in unstructured free play and outdoor pastimes. In part, this is a function of the digital culture which provides so many adult-created toys, games, and amusements, Game Boys, and other electronic games are so addictive they dissuade children from playing the traditional games.”

David Elkind

Screen Time TV replaces time socializing and engaging in

unstructured free play Children 8-18 spend 6 hours per day of screen

time 2/3 of infants and toddlers watch 2 hours/day 40,000 commerical/ year 51% of TV is always on 53% no rules about TV watching -

TV and Research

Links to ADD

Violent behaviors 66% of all TV shows violence

One study found children who watched more TV than average impacted educational achievement at 26.

TV and Obesity U of M found being awake in a room and in a room

with TV on more than 2 hours per day increased risks of being overweight at ages 3-4.

Researchers found TV is the GREATEST risk factor for childhood obesity. (Diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior)

Recent study shows success in reducing weight of pre-teens just by restricting TV viewing.

Metabolic rate is lower watching TV than just sitting quietly doing nothing

Screen Time Suggestions Talk to parents about setting limits Make meaningful choices

Mr. Rogers vs. Barney Co-Viewing with children under 2 -

Discussion Question #4

What are the biggest challenges teachers face in talking to parents about screen time?

Classroom “Environmental Protection Agencies of Play”“Imaginative play is important to children's

development, Children need opportunities to act and dress up like people they know. Equipment that encourages such play includes housekeeping furniture, dolls, dress-up clothes, utensils, blocks, vehicles, carpentry equipment, and musical instruments. Freedom to use various paints, clay, water, and other art materials encourages imitation as well as conversation and creative expression of ideas and understandings.”

Position Paper of ACEI (Association for Childhood Education International)

“Environmental Protection Agencies of Play” Best Practics Time for free play

45 minutes/day 5 days a week Modeling play

Language and showcasing professions Materials for Play

Simpler Toys = More Creative Inputs

Materials for Play

Dramatic Play Video Dramatic Play Speaker Prop Box List

Evaluations

Next workshop in December Topic: Dealing with Challenging

Children FACEBOOK me!

Amber Fante