Play............Dr. Reamonn O Donnchadha
Definition
Types
Features
Functions
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What is play?
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Unconscious
Physical/psychologicalActivity
Fun/ Enjoyment
Unconscious Learning
Intrinsic Motivation
Some Ideas...
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Learning…
Freedom to choose and enjoy..activity
Activity …no boundaries…enjoy
Unconscious activity …free from the
boundaries of their world
Activity ….enjoyment and pastime
Activity….fun, enjoyment, learning,
social skills
More Ideas
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Opportunity to learn life skills
Freedom of possibility
…unconscious learning…understand
environment..
…learning through self expression
Functions of Play
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Learning
Cognitive
Emotional development
Re-creation
Dealing with stress and anxiety
Suspension of reality
Creative
Features of Play
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Intrinsic motivation
Fun
Mastery
Locus of Control
Self Actualisation
Competence
Affiliation
Types of play (Parten)
Unoccupied
 Solitary
 Onlooker
 Parallel
 Associative
 Cooperative
Parten, M., (1932).Social play among
preschool children. Journal of Abnormal
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and Social Psychology.27.
Types of Play
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Simple
Complex
Structured
Unstructured
Another view
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0-2: Solitary
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2-3: Parallel
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3… Associative
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….. Cooperative
…Piaget
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Sensori-motor play....exploring/manipulating..1
Constructive play....making...2
First Pretend play....involving other...1-2
Substitute Pretend play...symbolisation...2-5
Socio-dramatic play.....play parts/roles
P 173 Helen Bee.. The Developing Child
Playmates
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Solitary/parallel….friends nearby
Early friendships…random/brief
¾ years …special friendships
Personality and level of friendship
Middle childhood…gender driven/sex
appropriate
Seems to be little or no discrimination
Gender and play
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From 3yrs on…
Children know
Prefer same sex..
Boys…
Girls….
The Environment of Play
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Factors which inhibit
Factors which facilitate
Supervision and Play
The influence of toys
Playgrounds
School breaktime
Play as a tool for Socialisation
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Natural learning environment
The child learns from other children
No feeling of being assessed
No expectations
Unconscious learning
Experiential learning
Play and Socialisation Skills
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Negotiation
Bargaining
Assertiveness
Co-operation
Experimentation
Risk-taking
Language
Deferred Gratification
Conscience
Expression
Playground v Playstation
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Inventiveness
Creativity
Freedom
Autonomy/control
Reality....restriction
Immediate/deferred gratification
Sense of self concept
Reading
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Davenport. Chapter 10
O Donnchadha. The Confident Child
Sylva and Lunt. Chapter 11
Santrock. Chapter 12