Play - An Innovative Approach To Learning

Work is what you are obliged to do, play is what you're not obliged to do.

                                                                                                                        –Mark Twain

Ruhi is playing with blocks. She is stacking the blocks one on top of the other. ‘I am making a Qutub Minar,’ she says, recalling the recent visit to the monument.

As she stacks the fifth block the tower wobbles. She quickly removes all the blocks and replaces the lowest block with a larger one. As she stacks five more blocks on this bigger base block, the tower appears steady. “Look Ma’am! Look at my Qutub Minar,” she says excitedly.

By playing with blocks Ruhi recalled her visit to the monument. She remembered its name and physical structure. She learnt that by putting a bigger block at the bottom she can build a stable tower. She developed self confidence and learnt that if things do not work out the first time she needs to try again.

This brings us to the importance of play. Most teachers and parents realize that play is important to keep children happy and engaged. However research has proved that play with the right kind of toys and teaching learning material can enhance development and learning in children. Smart educators know that toys can be used to make children work in guise of play.

WHY IS PLAY IMPORTANT?

Play helps children develop balance, co-ordination and dexterity: Physical play that involves running, jumping, kicking, throwing improves strength, stamina, muscle co-ordination and balance. Playing with blocks puzzles and beads can help improve eye hand co-ordination.

Play helps language and cognitive development: Play helps children learn new words and practice them in the right context. They learn names of play materials (hoopla, slide trampoline), action words (throw, give), descriptive words (full, empty) as they participate in play activities.

Play also helps in concept formation. For example, while playing with sand children learn what "full" or "empty" means. They learn that sand is coarse, dry sand can be poured but cannot be moulded whereas wet sand can be moulded into different shapes.

Play helps children acquire skills Children at play learn to pay attention and concentrate on a task.  They learn to solve problems by trying out alternatives. Children develop their imagination when they play. They learn to follow directions. All these skills will be important when children turn into grown-ups.

Play helps children learn about rules of social behavior: While playing, children learn to take turns and share. They express emotions in socially acceptable modes, listen and talk to playmates, and follow rules.

Play supports creativity and self expression: Play activities that involve music, construction drawing et cetera encourage self-expression. Children learn to enjoy the beauty of colours, the rhythm of a melody, or the action of games. Children act out their hopes and fears in creative play. When children are encouraged to tell their own stories, paint their own picture, act out their own feelings, or build their own pretend world, they learn to be creative.

Play helps children develop a positive self concept.

Children enjoy play and they learn new skills and concepts that they can use in other situations. Like adults children learn better when they are relaxed. Even when play is hard, children are excited when they discover that they can control their bodies and actions. The sense of achievement that follows —"I did it!" is translated into positive self concept.

HOW TEACHERS AND PARENTS HELP CHILDREN PLAY?

Create a welcoming play environment where children can make choices. There should be a variety of play material in sufficient quantity so that children do not have to tolerate long waits.

Provide the right toys and activities at the right stage of development.

Participate in the play activity with enthusiasm. Play time for children is not time for you to plan for the next activity or just take it easy.

Ensure safety. Check toys and creative materials for safety and control angry, destructive behaviour.

Ensure variety. Provide chances for indoor and outdoor play. Provide material for active and quiet play; group and individual players.