Definitions, History, & Science
What is the definition of play?
According to Scott Eberle PhD (2014) "Play is an ancient, voluntary, pleasurable episode or set of events that we (and other species) engage in for its own sake that meanwhile strengthens our muscles, instructs our social skills, tempers aggression, releases stress, deepens our positive emotions, and enables balance.
What are the different types of play?
Children engage in 16 different types of play! There is symbolic, rough and tumble, socio-dramatic, creative, social, communication, dramatic, locomotor, imaginative, exploratory, fantasy, deep, mastery, object, role, and recapitulative play.
Is recess important for adolescents?
Yes! "Play is Crucial for Middle Schoolers Too" by Christina A. Samuels tells us that adolescent students pay the price when recess and play time is diminished and replaced by instruction. Samuels further says that recess gives kids a break and that it provides a way for kids to develop healthy bonds with friends and become more self-confident.
What does research say about the importance of play?
The National Institute for Play states that science suggests that:
Babies Need Attunement Play to Learn and Grow
Play Builds More Complex Brains
Babies Learn by Moving
Play = Learning
Play Develops Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Kids Need Rough-and-Tumble Play
Play Deprivation Can Have Tragic Consequences
Play Improves Lives
What are some ways to promote Social Emotional Learning?
To bring more SEL, teachers should consider:
- incorporating more free time
- giving students more choices in their learning
- using conversation starters to encourage connections and healthy discussions
What isn't play?
Scott Eberle PhD (2020) tells us that play is not fear, shock, pain, intolerance, weakness, or anxiety. Dr. Peter Gray also tells us that the truest form of Play is not fun activities set up by adults, but is instead self-chosen and self-directed activity.
What are the main elements of play?
The main elements of play are anticipation, surprise, pleasure, understanding, strength, and poise. Each of the elements lead in turn to pleasurable outcomes like curiosity, discovery, delight, knowledge, passion, fulfillment.
Should there by recess in high school?
Yes! But this one is tricky. Considering that adolescents go through profound physical, emotional, and physiological changes, a time during the day to take a break, move around, and chat with friends is necessary. Some of these needs can be addressed during lunch, sports, or before/after school activities, but I think we can do more. I, personally, will be advocating for more fun. Teens like fun! We might not be able to have "recess" like elementary schools, but I would like to see more class picnics, more student body games/competitions, more options for study hall time, and more time in the day for brain breaks.
Why is Social Emotional Learning important?
First, social skills help us work with others. Learning social skills helps build communication, sharing, and negotiation skills. Second, emotional skills help us understand ourselves and others. Having strong emotional skills helps us express emotions, manage impulses, and relate better to others around us. (Lego Foundation, 2022)
What are some fun and safe ways to increase digital learning?
To incorporate more digital play, teachers should consider:
- using interactive games like Quizlet Live
- letting students create instructional videos
- blending tech with movement using strategies like scavenger hunts or QR codes
How does history view play in education?
Much of what is known about early play suggests that educational play was mostly designed to serve a purpose and was geared at promoting life skills. In his Laws, Plato viewed play as a form of anticipatory socialization. The New England Puritans tried to prevent children from playing with toys unless they were related to Biblical stories and were morally uplifting. We finally see, however, a shift with Rousseau's thoughts on play. He believed that the main objective of childhood is that children should be happy and that the best learning would happen when pupils were unaware they were learning.
What are the play personalities?
The play personalities are: collector, competitor, creator, director, explorer, joker, maker, and storyteller. While most people are a mix of these styles, there is usually one that stands out.
Why play/learn outdoors?
Numerous studies have shown that learning outdoors helps students stress less, focus more, and improve their overall well-being. Outdoor learning and play benefits social skills, executive function skills, and physical and mental health.
What else can we learn from play?
When life is play-filled we can learn trust, flexibility, optimism, problem-solving, emotional regulation, perseverance, empathy, openness, and belonging.
I love this quote: "You might be able to master advanced math, speak three languages fluently, and maintain a 4.0 grade point average, but if you can’t manage your emotions, practice conflict resolution, or handle stress, none of the other stuff is really going to matter." Daniel Vollrath "SEL From Bell to Bell in Middle School and High School". This just speaks so loudly to the importance of play, balance, and perspective.
What are some fun movement strategies we can use?
To bring more play and movement, teachers and administrators should consider:
- increasing outdoor time
- improving outdoor learning spaces
- inviting more movement within the classroom by designing activities like gallery walks, stations, and "snowball fights".
How does play affect a child's brain development?
According to "Play: The Basics" by the National Institute of Play, very few of the neurons in the upper brain are connected at birth. It takes interaction with one's environment to create connections. The more children play, the more new brain circuits form. These circuits and pathways in turn form our social-emotional and cognitive capabilities.
How do adolescents play?
Kathi Valeii ("Why Parents Should Encourage Their Teens to Play More") has found that teen play helps adolescents figure out their identity, passions, and interests. Teens will often engage in sports, skateboarding, building, arts/crafts, video games, role playing games, board games, designing websites, making music videos, making films, gardening, baking, cosplay, writing, dancing, hiking, camping, amusement parks, karaoke, etc. These types of play activities also help protect their mental health.
Can digital play be healthy?
Yes! There are numerous apps and technologies that support children's curiosity, exploration, experimentation, and creativity. Digital scavenger hunts, QR codes, and digital escape rooms are also fun ways to blend tech and movement.
What is play inequity?
Play inequity has to do with access and belonging. Unfortunately, not all neighborhoods and/or schools have safe equipment or safe locations. Play space inequity is often the result of poverty, lack of investment, and discrimination. Play inequity can significantly impact a child's physical, mental, and social development.
How can I give my students more creative options?
To bring more creative play to school, teachers should consider:
- giving students opportunity to create learning games and activities
- allow students choice in how they present their findings
- organizing a community project like an art event, garden, or science station
What might happen if there is a lack of play?
Dr. Stuart Brown has found that "The drive to play is as fundamental as our drives for food and sleep." He further suggests that a lack of play will increase the prevalence of depression, inflexibility, lack of empathy, poor impulse control, addictive inclinations, mood-driven behavior, and possibly violence.
How do adults play?
In "The Benefits of Play for Adults", the authors (L. Robinson, M. Smith, J. Segal, and J. Shubin) remind adults that play can help with stress, can refresh mind and body, and can promote creativity and innovation. Among other things, adults can play by hosting game nights, arranging nights out with colleagues or friends, playing with a pet, investing in art supplies or science kits, or playing with children.
When is digital play dangerous?
Technology can harm when used the wrong way or without limits. Constant texts, alerts, and notifications have been shown to diminish the brain's ability to focus. Too much tech can wear out the brain's pleasure centers and disrupt sleep patterns. Too much tech can also hinder human interactions and impair social and emotional development. And, of course, there are very real dangers concerning cyber bullying and cyber predators.
Parenting, and teaching, in a constantly changing digital world is challenging. Helping children/adolescents understand the risks, setting limits and boundaries, and staying involved in their digital lives can help.
Are there other types of play inequity?
Yes. I'm going rouge here, but I'd like to politely ask the course instructors to include this in the future. Play inequity also often happens everyday for those who are differently-abled. For example, students with physical handicaps are often unable to engage with school playground equipment. While I understand there are cost preventative issues at hand here, I hope that bringing awareness to adaptive and inclusive playground equipment and the SEL associated benefits will promote more awareness and progress. Please check out https://www.kit.org/inclusion-in-playgrounds/
How can we incorporate more play into high school?
Again as a high school teacher I worry most about this population and their mental health. I don't think they have enough opportunities to relax, play, and grow in ways other than academic learners. High school teachers and administrators should (and I plan to advocate for):
- Provide options for play in study halls. This could be board games, coloring books, gardening opportunities, etc.
- Plan more class picnics. Let them have a couple hours maybe monthly where they can go outside, eat good food, interact with the community and each other, play games, and relax.
- Have more students vs staff events. We already have a basketball game, but we could also have a relay race day, a snowball fight, scavenger hunt races, etc.
- Approve and take more field trips.