Playtime

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?

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_choi

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.
− -

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

 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

-

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...


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
 -

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

Playtime

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